Deutsches Reichsbahn-Wasserschutzpolizei Visor...

[Wilhelm Saris]

The break down in sections is much older than 1937.
I do not really know when it started, but in the "Reichsbahn, Amtliches Nachrichtenblatt der Deutschen Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft",
nr. 12 from March 24, 1926 anyway gives the functions for a) Eisenbahn and b) Schiffahrt. Many, many functions anyway.

Further "Die Dienstkleidungsordnung der Deutschen Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft" from May 1924 also mentions the break down
and shows the worn headgear for Schiffahrt.

It looks as the cap shown by Stonemint with post 1 is for DRB-Schiffahrt. Post 25: Reichs-Küsten-Schiff is not a good expression! An RKS
was not mentioned in any of the known Reichsbahn-regulations. In a letter from November 15, 1943 from the Reichsverkehrsminister many
possibilities were noted, but the RKS was not one of them.
It is known to me that some years ago the RKS was suggested, but there is no proof for that. The letter from 1943 possibly would have given an
answer when an RKS indeed had existed. But one can soak forever and in-depth and then Schiffahrt may have many meanings as well, well
known ones or suggestions:
Hochseeschiffahrt;
Bodenseeschiffahrt;
Binnenfähren/Binnenfährdienst (ferries);
Küstenfähren/Küstenfährdienst.
I throuw out a feeler: RKS could stand for Reichsbahn-Küstenschiffahrtsdienst.


I know there exists a Reichsverkehrsgruppe Seeschiffahrt (a sub-organization from the Reichsverkehrsministerium), but I do not know if the
shown photograph belongs to this. Possibly not.
The RVG is not in any way a Reichsbahn related organization. It was their task to train for the sailor's profession at their specific schools, the
(Schiffsjungenschule). They did wear a tally with the indication for the city where the school was located, for example Hamburg,
Bremen, Stettin. So as: R.V.S. Schiffsjungenschule Hamburg. The R.V.S here stands for Reichsverkehrsgruppe Seeschiffahrt.