Description
NS-Soldatenbund Officer’s Visor Cap – Named to W. Lienenklaus, Practicing Physician
Presented here is a scarce National Socialist–State Soldiers League (NS-Soldatenbund) officer’s visor cap, a short-lived but historically significant organization of the Third Reich period. The Soldatenbund was founded in 1936 and absorbed into the NS-Reichskriegerbund by 1938, resulting in a very limited window of production. As a result, original headgear from this organization is notably uncommon.
The cap is constructed of dark blue wool, with a black woven mohair center band accented by three rows of white piping, consistent with infantry officer presentation. The front displays the an eagle insignia above a pinned tri-color cockade. it should be noted that a Soldatenbund cap would normally feature a eagle with a Deutsches Kreuz and crossed swords denoting the wearers status as a veteran. This example bears a standard aluminum infantry eagle. The cockade is of aluminum construction, featuring a red felt center surrounded by a wreath of stylized oak leaves and acorns, measuring approximately 62 mm wide by 42 mm high. It is properly set into the black rayon cap band.
A black leather chinstrap is secured by black polished magnetic metal side buttons and fitted with dual adjustable magnetic metal buckles. The chinstrap rests naturally on the visor when not in use. The visor itself is formed of vulcanfibre, finished with a lacquered black obverse and a tan reverse, and is firmly seated into the body of the cap.
The interior remains well preserved, with a tan leather sweatband secured by machine stitching and secured with a pin at the rear. The lining is orange oilcloth. Affixed to the sweat guard is a fully intact maker’s label reading “The regulation cap of the Soldiers’ Federation Trademarked.” Inside the name tag slot remains the original paper name tag identifying the owner as “W. Lienenklaus, pract. physician,” providing strong provenance and personal attribution. The insert and oilcloth has a tear along the edge of the insert. (Pictured)
Named examples of NS-Soldatenbund headgear are especially scarce due to the organization’s brief existence. This visor cap represents a well-documented and intact example of transitional Third Reich veterans’ and paramilitary insignia, suitable for advanced collectors or institutional collections focused on prewar and early wartime German organizations.
