SS Helferin Cap - Nice One

[Antonio Scapini]

Hi Robert, I mainly collect "strange" items... And these caps fall in this "strange" field for me, so I love them.

I got 3 sets from female KL guards "Aufseherinnen" and one of them from a direct source many years ago.

I found the same cap in two of these sets, so I think it was possibly worn also from the infamous female KL guards even if I never found any picture proving this.

That said I post one of mine too, I only have 2 now since I sold one years ago.

[RobertE]

Martin, that's very interesting that yours had/has the same type tag as mine and Antonio's.

Antonio - wow. What a treat to see two of together with their tunics, and knowledge of one direct from the veteran. The tag sewn in the blouse looks like the same type as mine; maybe there was some type of issue to each volunteer.

Some of these had size markings indicating a general issue, or at least a large enough group of applicants that a batch of caps had to be produced. Are yours size marked?

s/f Robert

[derek]

In answer to your question Robert, yes, they were a standard issue item. Here is the full listing for clothing for the female auxiliaries.

[RobertE]

Thanks for posting the uniform issue Derek, which is quite interesting. The black caps were certainly an issue item.

Some caps are unmarked and others show size markings, and a lack of stamps can mean private purchase / tailor made. I wonder to what degree items were made to order and how much was off the shelf - pretty small organization to build much of an inventory.

s/f Robert

[Jeff V]

Wonderful thread and examples posted!

[Antonio Scapini]

No one of the caps I have (or had) had maker or size stamps.

They can be made in the "classic" German wool (first example I posted) or in doeskin or trikot. The lining was made in cotton/rayon or in ribbed cotton.
All them of course with the same shape and typical construction features.

Following some pictures side by side of 2 of them, one in doeskin and one in trikot.

[RobertE]

Thanks Antonio, a solid contribution to the discussion for sure. Great photos.

I have seen these made in a variety of materials over the years, including one of a very dark grey tropical cotton. Most (if not all) of the ones I actually handled were reproduction's, I believe, and were made like a standard overseas cap with exaggerated features and carry over traits, like bogus manufacturers stamps or tags.

Mine is not made from doeskin, but from a similar quality wool to the one you posted next to the tricot.

Interesting how some have a very deep scallop shape and others are more straight cut, and some have a pronounced "widow's peak" where they come to a point in the front over the wearer's forehead. Just a manufacturer or tailor preference, but interesting to me.

s/f Robert

[sutka]

very nice
congrats guys