Description
Product Description: This RLB Cap Eagle is a great example of the relatively scarce organizational emblem worn on visor caps of the Reichsluftschutzbund. This top quality, early production eagle is made of aluminum, and is in the form of the distinctive RLB flying eagle emblem, clutching a starburst with a swastika within. The swastika still retains nearly all of the original factory applied glossy black paint with some tiny scratches and age-related crazing. The rest of the obverse never had any finish applied, and the surface remains clean, with some scattered small marks. All of the original detail is intact. The reverse of this RLB Cap Eagle is maker marked behind the swastika with the stylized “HA” maker mark of the firm of Hermann Aurich. The three original round brass alloy wire prongs are intact and crimped into place. The prongs taper to a point and do not appear to have been bent since this piece left the factory. There are no repairs to note. This piece displays great and would be hard to upgrade. It remains in exceptional 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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