Kriegsmarine and Heer Generals Schirmmütze Eagle - M 38

Schirmmütze Eagle for Kriegsmarine and Heer Generals – “M 38” maker marking, gold finish

This Schirmmütze eagle is especially notable for its reverse marking: “M” on the left side and “38” on the right side. In specialist collecting references, this mark is attributed to J. C. Maedicke, Berlin, 1938. The same attribution is documented for Heer aluminium Schirmmütze eagles marked M 38, identified as Maedicke Berlin 1938 production.  

The defining feature of this variant is its gold finish, which links it to two distinct but historically connected uses: Kriegsmarine Schirmmützen and the visor caps of Heer Generals. In the Kriegsmarine, gold-coloured cap insignia formed part of the naval branch’s visual identity and stood out strongly on both dark and white cap bodies. In the Heer, gold insignia were associated with generals, matching the gold-coloured cords, piping and rank-related cap details. A comparable War Militaria listing also identifies this type as suitable for Kriegsmarine visor caps and Heer Generals.  

The number 38 refers to 1938, placing the piece in the immediate pre-war production period. This is significant because early cap insignia often show sharper detail, cleaner stamping and more refined finishing than many later wartime productions, which were increasingly affected by material restrictions and simplified manufacturing. Collector sources describe Maedicke 1938 cap eagles as early pre-war aluminium pieces with reverse maker and date markings.  

The eagle was mounted on the front of the Schirmmütze, above the national cockade and oak-leaf wreath. In gold finish, it had a specific uniform function rather than being merely decorative. For the Kriegsmarine, it matched the naval tradition of gold-coloured insignia; for Heer Generals, it formed part of the distinctive gold cap insignia system used to indicate senior rank.

From a collector’s perspective, the reverse is the most important area. An unmarked gold eagle can usually be classified only by shape, material, finish and attachment system. A clearly marked example such as “M 38”, however, allows a more precise attribution to maker, year and production period. This makes the piece more specific and more technically interesting than a generic gold-coloured Schirmmütze eagle.

The maker J. C. Maedicke, Berlin is also documented on other military metal fittings of the period. Collector references record the company name on later Heer belt buckles, confirming its activity in the production of military metal accessories and uniform fittings.  

Collector’s note: the “M 38” marking was hidden once the eagle was mounted on the cap. Today, however, this concealed reverse detail is one of the key features used to identify the piece as a Maedicke, Berlin, 1938 production.