Imperial German Navy Officer’s Visor Cap

Item: Imperial German Navy Officer’s Visor Cap
Era: World War I (1914–1918)
Origin: Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial German Navy), Germany
Manufacturer: Offizier Kleiderkasse Berlin, RV Sonderklasse, Extra Grade

This is a rare and original Imperial German Navy officer’s visor cap from World War I. It features the following notable elements:

• Top Crown: Made from cotton, displaying signs of wear and discoloration consistent with over a century of aging and potential active service use.
• Band: The dark wool band is intact, though with some light wear and tear, typical of items of this vintage.
• Insignia: The front displays the gold-embroidered Imperial German Navy insignia, with a large bullion crown atop oak leaves, encircling a cockade with the German national colors (black, white, and red). The embroidery is finely detailed, typical of officer-grade caps from this period.
• Chinstrap and Buttons: The chinstrap is made of leather and fastened by two brass naval buttons featuring the Imperial German eagle emblem.
• Visor: The visor is made of black leather, showing some minor cracking, but retains good overall shape and structure.
• Interior: The cap’s interior is marked with the maker’s stamp, "Offizier Kleiderkasse Berlin" (Officer’s Clothing Depot, Berlin) and "RV Sonderklasse Extra," indicating this is a higher-grade officer’s cap. The liner is red, showing signs of wear, particularly around the edges, but overall remains in fair condition.

Condition:
The cap is in fair-to-good condition for its age. The cotton top is worn and stained, likely from active use, but the structure remains intact. The wool band and embroidered insignia are in good condition with minor wear. The interior shows signs of significant use, with the liner showing some wear along the edges. This piece has a historical patina that reflects its age and use.

Provenance and Authenticity:
The cap is marked with the correct period stamps and exhibits wear consistent with an original piece from the early 20th century. The combination of the embroidered insignia, materials, and maker’s marks are all indicative of an authentic World War I-era Imperial German Navy officer’s cap.

Estimated Price:

The value of this cap can vary depending on factors such as condition, provenance, and the current market demand for Imperial German militaria. Items in better condition, with less wear or clearer provenance, may fetch higher prices.