Original German WWII Red Cross DRK EM/NCO Overseas Field Cap by Ludwig Reuther - Size 51 - Deutsches Rotes Kreuz

Original Item: Only One available. This is a very good condition WWII Era Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (German Red Cross) EM/NCO Feldmütze (Field cap), or overseas cap (Schiffchen). The overseas cap, nicknamed in German military slang as Schiffchen, or literally "little ship" as it resembled an up-turned row-boat, was standard issue for EM / NCOs in the DRK, especially in the field. They originally had the center pleat as seen on the M38 Military Version.

The overseas cap is fabricated from a fine charcoal gray wool on the exterior, designed with outer flaps that have gently sloping, downward scallops to the front and forward sides. Attached to the front of the flap is a metal tri-color cockade, and above this is the German Red Cross (Deutsches Rotes Kreuz) insignia, BeVo embroidered on a grey field and attached to a cardboard backing. The cardboard badge is stitched only to the outer layer of fabric, so it was installed when the cap was being made. There is a single black finished vent eyelet in place on either side. The interior is lined in light blue gray cotton and there is still the full maker information and size visible on the inner crown:

51
LUDWIG REUTHER
Mützenmachermeister
MÜNCHEN 2 N W
Augustenstr., 46/I
Tel. 897 200

Overall condition is very good, showing no major wear or damage, just some overall age toning and light wear on the exterior. The insignia are in good shape, but do show wear from age and use. The interior shows water and sweat staining, and there are also numerous small orange stains on much of the interior.

A very nice German WWII Red Cross EM/NCO overseas cap, ready to add to your collection!

History of the German Red Cross (DRK)
The DRK, "Deutsches Rotes Kreuz" (German Red Cross), a voluntary civil assistance organization originally instituted in 1864, was officially acknowledged by the Geneva Convention in 1929. In December 1937 it gained status as a legally recognized organization by the NSDAP. As with other essential services in Third Reich Germany, it came under control of the NSDAP in late 1938 under the auspices of the Ministry of the Interior's Social Welfare Organization.

History of the "Red Cross" Symbol
It was important to clearly identify Medical personnel in the field. One of the early documents, such as the Amelioration of the Conditions of the Wounded in Armies in the Field signed August 22, 1864, by a number of Governments, already instructed that Flag and Arm Badges worn by Medical personnel would bear a Red Cross on a White Field. Both symbols when used on Hospitals, Ambulances, Evacuation and Aid Centers, were to be proof of their neutral status! These signs provided for neutrality of military and civilian protected personnel (it gave them non-belligerent status) exclusively engaged in removal, transportation, and treatment of wounded and sick, or the administration of sanitary formations and establishments, and entitled them to respect and protection from their enemies. The 1929 Geneva Convention which superseded the former agreement, was signed on July 27, 1929 by forty-seven countries (including the Axis countries, Germany, Italy, and Japan) and comprised numerous articles, among which Articles 9 and 21, recognizing that bearers of special identification cards and civilian protected personnel identified by armbands, and vehicles, and installations wearing Geneva Convention markings and markers, were all exclusively engaged in medical care activities, and consequently protected and respected by the Geneva Convention.