Reichsbahn General's Visor

[stonemint]

This is a very late war visor for a "General" of the Reichsbahn. (The Reichsbahn did not use military ranks as such, but rather, paygrades, but this would be for the top grade.)

This would be considered "new old stock" and was never issued--I doubt it left the factory, as it did not even have a chincord on it when I got it. Except for some minor age crazing to the visor, the hat is mint with no mothing. It has a rougher wool, and is not even remotely doeskin:

[stonemint]

These Bevo winged wreaths came about in 1943. They were designed to replace the metal (zinc) ones, which had a tendency to break due to very thin attachments to the railroad wheel:

[stonemint]

The chincord is celleon, and is appropriate to this late timeframe.

Generals did not use all-gold cords, but ones with the blue flecking:

[stonemint]

While definately a cost-saver hat (no padding, no lining), unlike most late war lesser-ranked visors, this Generals has all three rings of piping (lesser ones omitted the bottom red ring as the war wore on.)

The piping is celleon.

[stonemint]

Also, most late-war Railway visors did away completely with the velvet bands, also as an economy measure (they used simple black bands in ribbon-like material). This one has the typical black velvet band:

[stonemint]

Now, that is a political eagle, but one will see all types of eagles on these late-war hats--just a matter of using what ever the maker had on hand. (I have seen 1st style KM; M-36 Political; m-35 DRB, etc.):

[stonemint]

Here is where they skimped. The top is the standard wasserdicht lining, the rest completely unlined.

However, (most surprisingly) the sweatband is leather, and is attached by the reed system. I would say this is a late (even as late as 1945) Clemens Wagner product.

[S.Vestae]

Whooooo very interesting cap Stonny....

A late War with a Pre War interior style is unusual...

The fat gold piping on the front is only the late war information...

Nice cap !
Sebastien.

[Dimas]

Very interesting and unusual visor hat. Congrats to the owner!

[colt45]

real clean & MINT, excellent