Original German WWII Kriegsmarine Coastal Artillery EM/NCO Schirmmütze Visor Crush Cap with Leather Brim

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely service used condition German WWII Kriegsmarine Küstenartillerie (Navy Coastal Artillery) EM/NCO Schirmmütze Visor Cap, with a lovely "Crushed" shape. This "saddle-form" shape is highly desirable, accomplished by removing the crown support stiffener ring. Made with flexible leather visors and no crown reinforcement, these were quite flexible, and easily took on the iconic shape. Many consider these to be the "true" crusher cap, flexible enough to almost be folded up, especially since it has a flexible fiber band for side reinforcement.

The cap shows high quality fabrication, made with typical feldgrau (Field Gray) green / gray "whipcord" weave wool, and in this case the whole cap is made from the same fabric, including the bap band and piping. These are very similar to the Army Heer visor cap, except that there are no corps colors around the green band, and the insignia are Kriegsmarine Gold.

It is decorated with a well detailed stamped gold washed brass alloy Wehrmachtadler National Eagle insignia on the peak and and an open gold washed brass oak leaf and acorn wreath surrounding a plated metal tri-color cockade on the band. These are in very good shape, with the gold wash very well retained on the eagle and wreath, while the cockade shows just a bit of oxidation to the silver part. The red felt insert is still in very good shape and vibrant. The cap has the correct black patent leather EM/NCO chin strap with double buckles. The black leather visor / peak is still in very good shape, showing a lovely pattern of checking and crazing on the top and bottom, caused by age related deterioration of the leather finish. It is still firmly attached to the cap, though it is definitely stiff from age.

The cap is lined with blue cotton, which shows a good amount of staining from use. We do not see any evidence that it ever had any type of sweat shield on the inner crown, and there are no maker markings we can see. The sweatband is made from brown finished leather, and is still in very good condition, showing wear from service but no tears or cracks. Size seems to be about a 56cm / US 7.

Overall condition is very good, though there are areas of moth damage, particularly under the crown and towards the rear, which are protected from the light that keeps moths away. There is also some present under the chinstrap, which also protects moths from the light. We would definitely recommend storing this in a cedar closet or other area protected from moth.

This is a very nice German Kriegsmarine Coastal Artillery peak visor cap, offered for sale in very good serviced used condition with a beautiful saddle-form shape. These are quite rare, and this is only the third example that we have ever had! Ready to display!