An exceptional original Deutsche Reichsbahn General Director’s visor cap by Clemens Wagner, Braunschweig. Constructed from dark blue tricot wool with gilt piping, hand-embroidered insignia, bullion chin cords, velvet centre band and a complete size 55 interior. Traditionally attributed to senior railway administrator Alois Ritter von Frank, although that ownership remains unconfirmed.
€ 3.995
1 in stock
An exceptionally attractive Deutsche Reichsbahn General Director’s visor cap, produced by Clemens Wagner of Braunschweig. This prestigious form of senior railway headgear features rich gilt insignia, bullion chin cords and fine private-purchase construction.
The previous owner attributed the cap to Alois Ritter von Frank, a prominent Bavarian railway administrator and former board member of the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft. However, no named label or surviving document currently confirms that ownership. Therefore, the attribution accompanies the cap as part of its collecting history rather than as proven provenance.
The cap maker used fine dark blue tricot wool for the main body. Gilt piping follows the crown edge and provides the distinctive appearance associated with the highest levels of Reichsbahn administration.
Moreover, the cap retains an elegant shape and strong colour. The material displays only limited age and honest period wear. Consequently, the cap has outstanding presence when displayed with senior civil or railway uniforms.
A black velvet centre band contrasts sharply with the blue crown. In addition, the velvet remains clean and supports the original insignia correctly.
A hand-embroidered gilt national eagle occupies the front of the crown. Below it sits a finely embroidered gilt wreath surrounding the period swastika.
The centre band carries the distinctive winged Reichsbahn cockade, also executed in gilt embroidery. Together, these insignia create the imposing appearance expected from senior German railway headgear.
Original gold-coloured bullion chin cords rest above the visor. Matching gilt side buttons secure the cords firmly in place. Significantly, these superior fittings distinguish the cap from ordinary lower-ranking Reichsbahn examples.
Inside, the Deutsche Reichsbahn General Director’s visor cap retains its brown leather sweatband and orange silk lining. The transparent manufacturer’s diamond bears the trademark of Clemens Wagner, Braunschweig, a respected period supplier of quality uniform headgear.
The cap also carries a size marking of 55. Its materials, stitching and internal finish demonstrate the higher standard normally associated with privately purchased senior-grade headgear.
The leather visor remains particularly well preserved. Its polished surface retains an attractive period appearance, while minor wear is consistent with careful use and long-term storage.
The former owner believed that this cap belonged to Alois Ritter von Frank. Frank entered the senior service of the Bavarian State Railways during the nineteenth century. Later, he became president of the Munich Railway Directorate and headed the Bavarian administrative group of the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft.
Frank served on the Reichsbahn board until his retirement in 1931. He died in Munich in 1940. His documented railway career makes the traditional attribution historically interesting.
Nevertheless, the cap incorporates Third Reich national insignia and apparently dates from after Frank’s retirement. No named sweatband, photograph, tailor’s label or ownership document presently links it directly to him. Accordingly, Nordmenn Militaria offers the attribution as unconfirmed former-owner information, not as a guaranteed identification.
Researchers can consult the Bavarikon administrative biography of Alois Ritter von Frank and the Bundesarchiv biographical record for further information about his railway career.
This cap survives in excellent display condition. The dark blue tricot body retains its colour, shape and elegant profile. Furthermore, the gilt embroidery remains bright and sharply defined.
The bullion cords, gilt buttons, velvet band, leather sweatband and silk lining all remain present. Light age and handling traces appear throughout, but these do not detract from its appearance. Instead, they provide the honest character expected from original period headgear.
Please study every photograph carefully because the images form an important part of the condition report.
Senior Reichsbahn headgear appears much less frequently than standard railway official caps. Furthermore, gilt insignia, bullion cords and superior private-purchase materials make this example particularly desirable.
The intact Clemens Wagner interior adds further collector interest. Although the Alois Ritter von Frank association requires documentary confirmation, the cap remains an impressive and scarce original in its own right.
Collectors can view further original examples in our Military Visor & Peaked Caps
Nordmenn Militaria guarantees this item as an original period Deutsche Reichsbahn senior official’s visor cap. However, the guarantee does not extend to the attributed ownership by Alois Ritter von Frank unless additional documentary evidence becomes available.
References: Bavarikon biography of Alois Ritter von Frank and Bundesarchiv biographical record.
