Prussian officer’s schirmmütze for the Great General Staff

This finely preserved Prussian officer’s schirmmütze (visor cap) is a rare example associated with Germany’s elite Großer Generalstab (Great General Staff) prior to or during the early stages of World War I. The cap features a deep navy blue wool crown, trimmed in crimson red piping, and a prominent red wool band—often referred to as Ponceau—identifying it as a regimental piece likely worn during the Kaiserreich period. Both cockades are present: the upper Prussian kokarde with its detailed gilt edge and the lower national Reich kokarde in black, white, and red, confirming production after the 1897 regulation standardizing dual cockade use.

The black lacquered leather visor displays fine curvature with moderate age-related crazing, typical of pre-WWI Imperial German officer’s caps. Its absence of a chinstrap, replaced instead by field or dress cords (not present), aligns with regulations for high-ranking officers. Internally, the cap features a rare black silk lining, clean and intact, along with a tan leather sweatband that is present but shows heavy wear and separation at several points. A portion of the lining has been deliberately blacked out, likely to obscure personal or regimental details—sometimes done by families, collectors, or museums.

Condition:
Condition: Very good. The exterior wool is vibrant and shows only a single minor moth nip at the base, far smaller than a full-fledged hole. The insignia is original and tightly affixed. The visor is structurally sound with expected lacquer checking. Interior wear is evident, especially along the sweatband, but the silk liner remains complete and unbroken.

Historical Context:
This cap is believed to have belonged to an officer assigned to the Prussian Great General Staff, possibly after serving with the prestigious 1st Guard Uhlan-Regiment—an elite cavalry unit that furnished many senior staff officers during the reign of Kaiser Wilhelm II. The General Staff represented the intellectual core of the Imperial German Army, commanding immense respect for its strategic planning and battlefield leadership. Officers selected for this role often emerged from elite formations and carried forward distinctive uniform elements like this high-peaked schirmmütze with its bold red band and quality construction.

It is thought this cap may have been paired with a 1st Guard Uhlan officer’s tunic, retained from the same individual after transitioning to a staff role. This theory is supported by the style and proportions of the cap, which align with known examples worn in Berlin-based commands under Generalfeldmarschall Paul von Hindenburg.

Display Suggestions:
A standout item in any collection of Imperial German militaria, this cap would pair impressively with a Prussian Ulanka tunic, General Staff epaulettes, or a Kaiser-era officer’s sword. It exemplifies the professional distinction and elegant design favored by German officers in the decades leading up to World War I.

Provenance:
From a respected private collection that included other Imperial German staff items, including a 1st Guard Uhlan-Regiment Ulanka believed to originate from the same officer.