Condition: Near Mint
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Product Description: This SS-Gebirgstruppen Edelweiss Cap Insignia is a nice example of the scarce Edelweiss insignia worn on the field caps of SS mountain units. This pattern of insignia was among those found in the warehouses at Dachau when the camp was liberated in 1945, and it’s likely that this unissued example originated there. This attractive patch features an Edelweiss flower that is machine embroidered in yellow and light gray thread, on a backing of fairly coarse black SS wool fabric. The edges of the patch have been neatly trimmed around the embroidery, which is how these were issued. The reverse shows the embroidery bobbin thread. This SS-Gebirgstruppen Edelweiss Cap Insignia is entirely free of mothing or other damage. There is no fading, and no stitch holes or any other sign of wear. It’s a choice example, that remains in outstanding, near mint condition.
Historical Description: German military soft headgear could be adorned with a wide variety of both official and (in some cases) unofficial distinctive insignia. Perhaps most well-known among these was the cloth or metal Edelweiss emblem, worn on the mountain caps of the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS Gebirgsjäger mountain units, as well as by some paramilitary organizations. A similar emblem, with a sprig of oak leaves, was worn by members of Jäger light infantry units. There were also unit emblems, for specific divisions and in some cases even smaller formations, some of which were officially permitted, and others which were simply tolerated as an unofficial practice. In the German Navy, some U-Boot crews adorned their caps with emblems specific to their vessel. The production and quality of these cap emblems varied widely, with some being factory produced to high standards, and others being simply made, sometimes in the field by the soldiers themselves. As with all wartime Wehrmacht insignia, these cap emblems are regarded as collectors’ items today.
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