This is a visor for a semi-obscure Luftwaffe organisation, the Air Field Fire Departments.
Many of the hats you see on the web alleging to be Fliegerhorstfeuerwehr (FHFW) visors are just run-of-the-mill civilian feuerwehr visors with Luftwaffe insignia attached to them (which increases their price by 200%). (I will explain how to distinguish re-badged feuerwehr (fw) from Luftwaffe FHFW below).
“Show me the regulation, and I’ll show you the exception.”
Civilian feurwehr personnel would wear the thin-winged civilian wreath, with the swastika at the center. Luftwaffe Feuerschutzbeamte would wear the Luftwaffe wreath and eagle. This one is a hybrid, which is sometimes seen in period pics. (both eagle and wreath are original to the hat).
“Show me the regulation, and I’ll show you the exception.”
Like the feuerwehr, carmine piping is utilized. Hat is of a dark blue Tuch, also the same as feuerwehr. However, the visor is not LW style, but has the common WH ridge:
“Show me the regulation, and I’ll show you the exception.”
Here is the major difference between Luftwaffe FHFW and civilian fw--the band. Note that the Luftwaffe uses black wool, not velvet. Also note that the chinstrap buckles are the Luftwaffe oval style.
“Show me the regulation, and I’ll show you the exception.”
Here is the uniform in wear. Note that he is wearing the civilian winged wreath, and the elongated collar tabs--specific to the LW FHFW. I have only seen one tunic from this organisation.
“Show me the regulation, and I’ll show you the exception.”
Hi Chris, wonderful visors in great shape! You will never run out of civilian or political visors to find. There must literally be hundreds of varieties out there to discover!
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