DAF Visor Cap
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 81.GOR.01.01.01.001.000
Estimated market value:
Estimated market value:
An extremely well-preserved German Labour Front (DAF) Enlisted Personnel visor cap, constructed of heavy dark blue wool. The cap features reinforced side walls, with the exterior bearing a black cotton twill cap band with oak leaves and acorns. Pinned into the peak of the cap is an insignia in the form of pebbled and gilded bronze oval frame around a DAF insignia consisting of a machine-embroidered gold bullion wire mobile swastika within a cogwheel, above oak leaf branches. The insignia measures 40 mm (w) x 55 mm (h), retains both of its reverse attachment prongs, and is maker marked with a Reichszeugmeisterei (RZM) logo and code “13” for L. Christian Lauer, Nuremberg. The exterior features are completed by a boiled blackened leather protruding visor. A brown leather sweatband, measuring 30 mm in diameter, is secured to the interior with a row of machine stitching. The interior also features a complete blue rayon liner, with a transparent plastic rhomboid moisture guard stitched onto the crown. Underneath the guard is a paper label bearing a maker’s mark of “MÜTZEN FABRIKATION A. MIELCHEN, MÜNCHEN”. An additional black ink mark on the liner has been crossed out, and a blue ink size stamp of “55” is visible. The cap measures 235 mm (w) x 255 mm (l) x 150 mm (h). Minor material fatigue is evident to the wool and leather features, but the cap is in an overall near extremely fine condition.
The DAF (Deutsche Arbeitsfront = German Labour Front) was the result of a forced association of all German trade unions, established on May 10, 1933. Its purpose was the coordination and control of all aspects of German labour to serve the interests of the NSDAP. The DAF leader was Reichsleiter Robert Ley.
The Werkscharen (Factory Brigades) of the DAF were the “soldiers” of the organisation, formed in 1934. They were trained and organised as paramilitary, uniformed units, yet remained unarmed. Beginning in April 1937, active Werkschar units (Stoßtrupps) would wear silver-coloured insignia, while administrators wore gold-coloured insignia. Even though Werkscharen were not affiliated with the Reichsluftschutzbund (RLB, National Air Raid Protection League), during the war they often functioned as factory air raid protection auxiliaries.
Some companies, especially major corporations, used additional security personnel, which were dubbed Werkschutz (Factory Protection), and later Werksicherheitsdienst (Factory Security Service).
The DAF Visor Cap, introduced in early 1934, is dark blue with piping in the same colour and with a black silk cap band featuring a pattern of oak leaves. The interior features medium blue lining. This cap was not rank-restricted and could be worn by any male DAF member.
The earliest caps featured a black leather visor, however, this was quickly changed to black vulcan fibre. The chin strap was made of black leather. Beginning in 1935, a celluloid sweat diamond with the DAF emblem was placed inside the cap, but this was discontinued as of October of 1937.
An oval DAF cap badge featuring a swastika inside a cogwheel over crossed oak leaf branches was worn on the front of the cap. Early caps have half the insignia on the cap band and half on the cap top, while over the years the insignia was placed higher and higher, and eventually found its place entirely on the cap top and completely above the cap band.
Eventually, this cap badge was replaced by a “political” style eagle emblem insignia, the same that was worn by members of the NSDAP on their caps. For this version, see the DAF Werkschar Visor Cap.
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