RLB Cap Eagle

Product Description: This RLB Cap Eagle is a pristine, unissued example, that would be extremely difficult to upgrade. It is stamped from aluminum, and was intended for wear by members of the Reichsluftschutzbund, a civil air raid protection organization. The obverse of this striking, Art Deco styled eagle is very clean. The black paint on the swastika emblem shows only very slight handling wear. The reverse of this attractive RLB Cap Eagle looks factory fresh. It’s maker marked behind the eagle with the stylized “HA” maker mark of the firm of Hermann Aurich, in Dresden. The three attachment prongs are made of tombak, in round wire form, each tapering to a point. These prongs are held in place with the original crimps, and are bent just as they were when this piece left the factory. This scarce eagle displays very nicely, and remains in outstanding, near mint plus condition.

Historical Description: The German Armed Forces (Wehrmacht), as formed in 1935, and as they existed until the end of World War 2, consisted of the Army (Heer), the Air Force (Luftwaffe) and the Navy (Kriegsmarine). The Waffen-SS fell under the command of the Wehrmacht during the war. Each of these branches of service had a unique eagle design that was worn on both the formal dress and parade uniforms, and the field uniforms, of the members of that branch. These eagles were worn on soft headgear, including service and field caps, as well as on the uniform jacket. In the Heer, the Luftwaffe, and the Kriegsmarine, this eagle was worn on the chest of the tunic; collectors have termed these “breast eagles.” The Heer and the Luftwaffe generally used the same eagle style, though variations in color of the eagle or the backing distinguish between the two. The Luftwaffe used their own flying eagle emblem. The Waffen-SS sleeve eagle (and cap eagle) had wings that came to a distinctive tapered point. The cap, breast and sleeve eagles used by the various military branches were manufactured in many variations. There were machine-woven and machine embroidered versions, usually used by officers and NCOs. Hand-embroidered bullion wire eagles were typically for officers. There were metal eagles, for caps, or for uniforms that were intended to have detachable insignia. There were even eagles embroidered on camouflage fabric, intended for use on special field uniforms. There were also eagles in specific colors for use on tropical uniforms. Some of these eagles were mass-produced and are still common today. Others were, and are, very rare.

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