Kriegsmarine Officer Visor

[Ron C.]

I have forgotten what ranks this one was for, and cannot find the books I have left on the subject. I lost most in a fire in 1987. Can you tell me what ranks this one was for? I know it is the lower officer's ranks. The hat itself is packed away, and this is one of the only photos I have of it. I cannot get to it right now to take more photos of it for you. I remember it has a blue (about a Royal or Prussian blue color, and I don't remember if there are any markings in it.

Thanks,
Ron

[Karl S.]

Hi Ron,
One of my reference books states this as Leutnant zur See through Kapitanleutnant.

[Ron C.]

Hi Ron,
One of my reference books states this as Leutnant zur See through Kapitanleutnant.

Thanks Karl. I know that is correct, but I just couldn't remember the ranks.

Ron

[Antiquefrog]

And a very nice-looking cap as well! While the narrow braid did denote the lower officer ranks, these ranks were the mainstay of the KM as the war progressed and younger men were pressed into command reponsibility. Most U-boat captains, for example (and all 1WOs and 2WOs), would have worn this so-called junior officer braid. And unlike the Heer or Luftwaffe, you know that the owner of your cap was a line officer and not some desk jockey.

[Ron C.]

When I originally posted this it was with an old photo, because it was packed away. I had some PMs wanting to see better shots of it. I have now dug it out and am posting these in response to the PMs. I still can find no maker marks or names.

Ron

[schirmmutze]

Antother nice looking cap Ron
You have a very nice collection of visorcaps,like them a lot!

Theo

[Ron C.]

Antother nice looking cap Ron
You have a very nice collection of visorcaps,like them a lot!

Theo

Thank you Theo......I once had a lot more, some I wish I had kept now......20 years plus ago when I got rid of them they were a whole lot less than now apparently. I had no place to store all of my stuff though......and I was going through a divorce.......so.......they left! I kept a fair number, but got rid of the vast majority.

Ron

[aardvark]

Hello Ron..I like your cap..post #5. However, the fact that the scallops/braid don't go all the way up the visor...terminating under the chinstrap, is usually indicative of post war caps. The fact this cap is bullion (the scallops are bullion, right?) and the general appearance of the piece says WWII issue IMO. Very nice dusty minty cap with some nicely evenly toned insignia.

regards,

Mark

[km-spain]

Hello all, Mark is right, all in this cap "smell" wartime, nevertheless this kind of unfinished visor embroidering is very rare in a WW2 cap.

I would like to hear more opinions about this.

[aardvark]

Ron, I can't tell, is the top removable? If so could you post a photo with the top off...showing the cheesecloth...I'd especially like to see the front stiffiner/padding. Also, those scallops are bullion, right?

Mark

[Ron C.]

Ron, I can't tell, is the top removable? If so could you post a photo with the top off...showing the cheesecloth...I'd especially like to see the front stiffiner/padding. Also, those scallops are bullion, right?

Mark

Yes the scallops are bullion, no the top is not removable.

Ron

[Bob Hritz]

Nice hat, Ron. I have never been so lucky to get an officer Naval visor hat.

Bob Hritz

[Antiquefrog]

Aardvark has an interesting point - I have many of these, and all have the scalloping disapearing on the ends. Funny, I had never thought about this before, or used this as a yardstick. Anyway, it does look quite right in other respects.

[aardvark]

I've seen scallops running short on a couple of caps. However, the case with those was the buttons were mounted too high on the band...raising the chinstrap, exposing the end of the scallops. That's not the case here...they just don't make it far enough. Shorted scallops are normal for post war caps. The wool top of this cap looks pretty lightweight...yet heavy enough to completely drag the sides down. I like a thicker, billowy top. And if I were to buy this cap I'd want to see how the wool feels. With this cap I'd want it in hand to make sure. And, in the end, if you have some doubts, but still like it...you can always say it was made in France!
regards,
Mark

[km-spain]

Hello Don, please can you post a closeup picture of the visor leather edge and the embroidering. Thanks.