Reichsleiter White-top

[stonemint]

The holy grail for an NSDAP headgear collector is the Form 4 white-top visor for a Reichsleiter--they are just as rare as SS general white-tops, if not more so. Unlike the Reichsleitung level caps, the piping is not yellow, but gold basket-weave bullion.

This is on the same site as the diplo cap and is attributed to Reichsleiter Walter Buch, the Nazi Supreme Court Justice equivalent, who was also in the SS.

I have my own opinions, but I would like to hear others:

[stonemint]

3/4 right:

[stonemint]

3/4 left:

[stonemint]

Top:

[stonemint]

Sweatband:

[stonemint]

Interior:

[stonemint]

Close-up of tag:

[stonemint]

Rear of SB:

[stonemint]

And here is Buch in A-SS uniform:

[stonemint]

I tried to find pix of Buch in a white PL uniform--all that I found were the tan--he is second from right:

[stonemint]

Here is a shot of his visor--can't tell if it is embroidered or metal in this pic:

[Ernst-H]

Two things that catch my eye:

1: the wreath is not level on the capband( I mean parallel with the piping, slightly rotated)

2: What on earth is that RZM tag doing there ? Look at the size..............or is the cap so small

[billbert]

Sorry in advance for the bad puns BUT the devil made me do it..

The cap certainly looks well executed..That being said..
Its certainly one we wont find in many a BUCH..
Opinions pro and con will no doubt cause a FUHRER of controversy..
Ouch..Billbert

[Arran]

I've only ever seen this size and placement of RZM tag on very early PL caps...

[NTZ]

For me a cap of this rarity will always be meet with some skepticism. With that said the sweatband does show light wear. The top of the cap lining also shows some aging yet the white side lining looks untouched and pristine. I would think even if worn a few times some sweat staining would occur. It would be nice to get under the hood and look around.