Lot 1491: Desirable G.A. Hoffmann 1937 Dated Enlisted/NCO Visor Cap Marked

Constructed from blue/gray wool in the crown with a black band, the exterior of the cap is appointed with white waffenfarbe piping (HG Ground Troop Division) along the edges, alloy eagle and wreathed cockade badges on the front, and a black patent leather chinstrap and sweatband. The latter is finished on the underside in green with an impressed checkerboard pattern. The interior is lined in brown cloth with a tan sweatband, with the sweat diamond covering the silver Hoffmann markings as well as "1937" and "56 1/2" black ink stamps. A small paper tag in a slot in the diamond reads "Kober/17./Regt. G.G.", and the inside of the left side of the sweatband is ink stamped "II. Rgt. Gen. Goring/7./(illegible)" and "1". This unit, in addition to performing bodyguard duty and anti-aircraft defense for Hitler himself eventually morphed into a division that participated in North Africa, reforming in Sicily fighting in Italy as the Fallschirm Panzer Division HG. In 1944, the division was transferred to Poland and remained on the Eastern front until the end of the war. Included with the cap is a brown leather map case, which bears a faint "R.G.G. I/II" stamp inside the flap next to "WILH.BRAND/HEIDELBERG/1939". No firm identification has been made on "Kober", though records indicate the existence of a Panzer Leutnant by that last name active in Italy, where the Division was known to have fought.

The cap is in very fine, totally original condition, showing a few light stains on the exterior and light handling marks overall. The pins from the eagle badge are visible through the lining, with high legibility to the liner markings and minor sweat stains. The map case is good, with cracking of the straps, edge scuffs, and overall strong stitching and supple leather.