DDR Feldmutze

[Anderson]

My son bought this forage cap at a surplus store 20 years ago. Appears to be DDR can anyone identify branch of service and approximate era?

Marks inside are "Mdl 1856 P" and under "57" hat size or year? The colour is more Olive drab than it looks in photos. Thanks in advance.

[reneblacky]

Police summer, MDL = ministry of interior, P =1986, 1856 maker = VEB Perfekt, vormals Emhange und davor EREL, 57 metric size.

[Anderson]

Well done old boy! Thanks.

[reneblacky]

Army for comparison.

[HARRY THE MOLE]

And here is a very early VOPO officers schiffchen with wire bullion piping which is in my collection