Original Item: Only One Available. With the dissolution of all Free Trade Unions in Germany in May 1933 the Deutsche Arbeitsfront, (German Labor Front), was established to replace the unions and to educate the workers in industry and commerce for smooth and efficient operation of all labor in the Third Reich. In October 1934 the DAF was given official status as a sub-section of the NSDAP and in March 1936 it was recognized as an independent NSDAP affiliated association and granted control of its own monetary budget. With this money it was able to procure its own signs and other insignia.

This is a very nice WWII German Labor Front DAF Schirmmtze or Visor Cap. This particular pattern is also called the Zivil-Mtze, as it was used by many of the NSDAP Civic organizations. The front crown of the cap has a very nice oval DAF Festival badge in the center, with the organizations \”Mobile Swas in a cog gear\” emblem over oak leaves. The cog has the correct 14 teeth, and is really in great shape, not showing any real wear or oxidation. These caps did not feature a cockade on the front of the cap.

The cap shows high quality fabrication, made with black or dark navy blue felt wool, with a black band adorned with machine embroidered oak leaf designs. It has a traditional high front, with black piping around the crown, and a standard black leather chin strap attached to lacquered buttons. The chinstrap has however shrunk over the years, and is now split through by the left side buckle. The visor / peak on this cap is the standard vulkanfibre with a gloss black top and matte black underside, with mostly intact trim.

The cap is lined with light blue cotton / rayon blend, and the crown still has a fully intact celluloid sweat shield \”Diamond\” stitched to it. There is an embossed and silvered DAF insignia on the shield, which shows some light wear and oxidation, with portions missing. There is a very nice natural leather sweatband on the interior, which has the metal initials H and L attached to it. The sweatband does not show any tears or damage, and the size of the cap seems to be about a 56cm / US 7.

Underneath the liner is an intact (RZM) label under the sweatband, which has the DAF insignia in the upper right as well. It identifies the cap as a Deutche Arbeitsfront Mtze (German Labor Front Cap), and gives the Hertellerfirma Nr: (Manufactuter Number) as 604. As an early cap it even indicates that it is approved by the N.S.D.A.P. Reichszeugmeiterei, with lot number 229207.

The overall condition is very good, with just the usual light sweat staining on the interior of the cap. Aside from the broken chinstrap, there are not really any major condition issues to note. Ready to add to your collection!