Army Infantry Officer Visor Hat "Erel".

Army Infantry Officer Visor Hat "Erel".
Army Infantry Officer Visor Hat.

A example of a privately purchased German Infantry Officer’s Double Erel Sonderklasse Schirmutze (Visor or Peaked cap).

Original era manufacture. A wartime quality hat, doeskin feldgrau wool top, dark green wool band with white wool piping.
The insignia is aluminium alloy with a chin cord in twisted aluminium wire sitting below the wreath and resting on a black vukanfibre peak a subtly raised lip near the forward edge.
The interior of the cap also has a wide, natural tan leather sweatband with Erel’s trade mark impressed into the leather with ventilation perforation to the front forehead section.

Considered to be the leading maker at the time, Robert Lubenstein (Erel) had introduced and patented the air cushioned sweatband for greater comfort which also allowed heat to vent through the mesh centre of the cockade.

The sweatband has silvered, script which repeats the manufacturer’s acronym, " Erel", and includes, " Stirnschutz", (Forehead Protection), " D.R.G.M.", indicating, Deutsche Reichs Gebrauchsmuster, (German National Registered Design), and, " D.R.P.angem.", indicating, Deutsche Reichs Patent angemeldet, (Adapted to {the} German National Patent).

The lining is a golden coloured silk , the diamond shaped sweatband without loss and showing the Erel details.

Traces of the presence of moles.