Exceptional original NSDAP Ortsgruppe Political Leader visor cap dating from the Third Reich period. The cap retains its characteristic light-blue Ortsgruppe piping, brown velvet centre band, gilt Political Leader eagle, elaborate gilt oak-leaf wreath, enamelled national cockade and complete gold cap cord.
The interior is equally impressive. It retains its tan rayon lining, leather sweatband, remnants of the original transparent sweat shield and an original RZM Tuchmütze label marked Hersteller 1398.
Overall, this is a particularly attractive and substantially complete example of original Third Reich Political Leader headgear.
€ 2.695
1 in stock
This Original NSDAP Ortsgruppe Political Leader Visor Cap is a high-quality example of the distinctive peaked cap worn by members of the NSDAP Political Leadership Corps.
Although collectors frequently describe this type as a Third Reich officer’s cap, its more precise designation is a Schirmmütze für Politische Leiter. Political Leaders belonged to the Nazi Party’s administrative organisation rather than the German armed forces.
The light-blue piping provides the most important clue to the cap’s organisational assignment. Period Organisationsbuch der NSDAP illustrations identify light blue as the colour for Ortsgruppe personnel, while different colours identified Kreis, Gau and Reich administrative levels.
For comparison, see this contemporary Political Leader uniform reference:
1937 Organisationsbuch der NSDAP – Political Leader Uniform Reference
Three lines of distinctive light-blue piping appear on the cap.
One follows the upper circumference of the crown. Two further lines border the brown velvet cap band.
This colour combination identifies the Ortsgruppe, or local organisational level. However, the piping does not mean that the individual owner was necessarily the actual Ortsgruppenleiter. Numerous Political Leaders and staff officials served within an Ortsgruppenleitung.
The official 1943 uniform illustrations likewise show Political Leader caps, collars and uniform elements edged in light blue for Ortsgruppe personnel.
Collectors interested in comparing the different Political Leader administrative colours can also view our Gauleitung example with red piping:
Original NSDAP Gauleitung Political Leader Visor Cap – Nordmenn
INTERNAL LINK 1 — Nordmenn website
The cap has an elegant saddle-shaped crown constructed from fine golden-brown or tan whipcord material.
Its shape remains remarkably strong. Moreover, the cloth retains an excellent colour with only minor age marks.
Close examination reveals the original tailoring seams, including the central front seam positioned behind the eagle.
A very small fabric disturbance is visible on the upper crown. Nevertheless, it remains minor and does not detract from the overall appearance.
A rich brown velvet band surrounds the lower section.
The velvet remains remarkably fresh, although subtle areas of period compression and handling can be seen under close examination.
Light-blue piping creates a strong contrast against the brown velvet.
These materials and colours correspond closely with surviving Political Leader caps and contemporary uniform illustrations.
A large gilt Political Leader eagle occupies the front of the crown.
The eagle retains excellent definition throughout the wings, breast feathers and central wreath.
A substantial amount of the original gold-coloured surface finish remains.
Importantly, the eagle sits correctly above the wreath and cockade arrangement associated with Political Leader headgear.
A matching original loose Political Leader insignia set can be viewed here for construction comparison:
Original NSDAP Political Leader RZM Cap Insignia Set – Nordmenn
INTERNAL LINK 2 — Nordmenn website
Nordmenn’s documented RZM M1/47 insignia set shows the same basic gilt eagle, oak-leaf wreath and enamelled cockade arrangement used on Political Leader caps.
The lower insignia is particularly impressive.
A large gilt oak-leaf wreath surrounds the national cockade. Individual leaves display finely textured surfaces designed to imitate embroidered oak foliage.
The central cockade remains complete, including the red outer field, silver-coloured inner ring and black central emblem.
The contrasting finishes remain exceptionally strong.
Consequently, the insignia assembly creates an excellent focal point when the cap is displayed.
The cap retains its complete gold-coloured Political Leader chin cord.
Its braided construction remains clean and well defined.
Both decorative sliders and the textured side buttons survive.
Minor toning and ageing remain consistent with the rest of the cap.
Complete original cord assemblies add considerably to the desirability of Political Leader visor caps because cords, sliders and buttons are frequently missing or replaced.
The visor retains its characteristic dark brown finish.
Its profile remains strong, while the upper surface shows only relatively minor age-related marks.
There is no obvious serious structural damage visible in the photographs.
Period Political Leader illustrations show the same combination of tan crown, brown visor and coloured organisational piping.
The interior provides important evidence for the construction and history of this Original NSDAP Ortsgruppe Political Leader Visor Cap.
Golden-tan rayon lines the crown.
Natural creasing, staining and age-related handling marks remain visible. These features contrast appropriately with the much cleaner exterior.
A light brown leather sweatband runs around the interior circumference.
Age-related drying, wear and minor stitching deterioration can be seen, particularly around the rear section.
These areas should not be restored or recoloured.
A particularly important feature survives beneath the sweatband.
The brown label is clearly headed:
TUCHMÜTZE
The manufacturer field reads:
Hersteller: 1398
The label also carries the circular RZM trademark and wording relating to the Reichszeugmeisterei.
A further control number appears to read:
459560
At present, I would catalogue the maker conservatively as:
RZM licensed manufacturer code 1398 – manufacturer name not yet independently confirmed.
That avoids attaching an incorrect maker name to the cap.
The label itself should always be assessed alongside construction, materials, stitching, insignia and ageing rather than being used as the sole proof of originality.
A large black number 722 appears on the lining.
Its precise purpose is presently unknown. Therefore, it should simply be recorded as an internal period-style inventory or control marking without attempting to attribute it.
Another rectangular black marking above the number is partially obscured.
Under the surviving sweat-shield area is also a small paper strip which appears to carry the handwritten number 59.
This may indicate approximately size 59, although the internal circumference should be measured before stating the size definitively.
Much of the original transparent celluloid sweat diamond has deteriorated.
Sections nevertheless remain under the stitched perimeter.
Age-related shrinking and fragmentation of early transparent plastics is common on surviving period headgear.
For a collector, leaving these remnants completely untouched is preferable to replacing them.
Political Leaders formed an important part of the administrative structure of the NSDAP.
The organisation operated through different territorial levels, including Ortsgruppe, Kreis, Gau and Reich.
The Ortsgruppe represented the local level. Period uniform regulations therefore used coloured piping to distinguish personnel belonging to each organisational echelon.
The official period handbook confirms the principal colour arrangement as light blue for Ortsgruppe, white or earlier black for Kreis, red for Gau and yellow for Reich.
For broader historical context concerning the Nazi Party’s hierarchical organisation and its role within the dictatorship, see the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum:
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum – The Nazi Party
OUTBOUND LINK 1 — authoritative historical reference
The USHMM describes the Nazi Party as a hierarchical organisation with leadership structures extending through regional, county, municipal, precinct and neighbourhood levels.
Based on the supplied high-resolution photographs, this cap presents strongly as a genuine period NSDAP Political Leader visor cap.
Several features support that assessment:
Nevertheless, photography alone cannot provide an absolute guarantee.
For the strongest authentication record, the reverse of the eagle and wreath, their attachment prongs, protected cloth beneath the insignia, sweatband stitching and reverse of the RZM label should also be photographed.
Overall condition: Very Good to Excellent
The crown retains an excellent shape.
Its tan cloth remains clean and attractive, while the blue piping retains strong colour.
The brown velvet band shows only modest age and handling.
Furthermore, the gilt eagle and wreath retain considerable original finish.
The national cockade remains especially attractive.
Likewise, the gold cap cord is complete and presents extremely well.
Interior wear is greater, as expected. The sweatband displays age and the transparent sweat shield has partially deteriorated.
These interior faults are entirely acceptable on an approximately 80-year-old cap and should remain untouched.
Original Political Leader visor caps remain important examples of Third Reich political uniform history.
This particular example is especially desirable because it combines Ortsgruppe blue piping, complete gilt insignia, a complete gold cord and an RZM-labelled interior.
Its impressive exterior presentation makes it particularly suitable for an advanced collection or museum-style display.
You can view additional original Third Reich uniforms and headgear in the Nordmenn collection here:
Original Third Reich Uniforms and Headgear – Nordmenn
INTERNAL LINK 3 — Nordmenn website
The Nordmenn Uniforms section currently includes Political Leader headgear alongside other original period uniforms.
1. Anchor text: original NSDAP Gauleitung Political Leader visor cap
Nordmenn – NSDAP Gauleitung Visor Cap
2. Anchor text: original NSDAP Political Leader cap insignia
Nordmenn – NSDAP Political Leader RZM Cap Insignia Set
3. Anchor text: original Third Reich uniforms and headgear
Nordmenn – Uniforms Collection
1. Anchor text: 1937 Organisationsbuch der NSDAP Political Leader uniform regulations
Period Organisationsbuch Political Leader Uniform Plate
2. Anchor text: NSDAP Political Leader visor cap colour system
1937 Political Leader Visor Cap Reference Plate
3. Anchor text: history of the Nazi Party organisation
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum – The Nazi Party
