Cameroon Schutztruppe Südwester - Slouch Cap

Description

A lovely and scarce **Cameroon Schutztruppe Südwester**, unfortunately missing its original sweatband. Believed to be an officer’s example, as the quality is better than that normally seen on other ranks’ examples, and the cockade is of an unusual pattern.

The Südwester was perhaps the most famous and distinctive headgear of the Schutztruppe. It was worn by all ranks on most occasions in South West Africa, as well as on home duties in Germany. In East Africa and Cameroon it was less widely used, often being replaced by the tropical helmet while on active service.

Made from grey felt, the hat was turned up on the right-hand side and secured by a large metal Imperial cockade in black, white and red. The hatband ribbon and edging varied according to colony: blue for South West Africa, white for East Africa and red for Cameroon.

Officers’ and senior NCOs’ Südwesters were often privately tailored and were generally of better quality and more elaborate than standard other ranks’ examples, sometimes featuring wider ribbons, edging and larger or more elaborate cockades. On some examples, silver was used in place of white.

The Südwester was a source of pride for the Schutztruppe as well as a practical piece of kit, providing shade from the sun during the day and even being rolled up for use as a pillow at night.

Being offered for sale on consignment.

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