Description
You are bidding on a SUPERB example of a 100% ORIGINAL WW2 German Kriegsmarine Cap Talley! This was issued to all NCO personnel, and was affixed to the “Donald Duck” style sailor cap.
The German EM/NCO Donald Duck style sailor’s cap featured a Cap Talley to identify the ship, flotilla or land unit the individual was serving with. Originally the script on the cap tallies was stitched in a gilt wire, however due to the potential of discoloration from tarnishing, regulations changed on October 29, 1936, indicating that all were to be sewn in a golden yellow celleon thread, instead.
SMS Schlesien was one of five Deutschland-class pre-dreadnought battleships built for the German Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial Navy) between 1904 and 1906. Named after the German province of Silesia, Schlesien was laid down at the Schichau-Werke shipyard in Danzig on 19 November 1904, launched on 28 May 1906, and commissioned on 5 May 1908. She was armed with a battery of four 28 cm (11 in) guns and had a top speed of 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph). The ships of her class were already outdated by the time they entered service, as they were inferior in size, armor, firepower, and speed to the revolutionary new British battleship HMS Dreadnought.
Schlesien saw limited combat during World War II, briefly bombarding Polish forces during the invasion of Poland in September 1939. She escorted minesweepers during Operation Weserübung, the invasion of Norway and Denmark in April 1940. After the operation, she was given secondary duties, primarily serving as a training ship and icebreaker. She ended her career providing fire support in the Baltic coast. While off Swinemünde on 3 May 1945, she struck a mine and was towed into Swinemünde, where she was sunk by her crew in shallow water, though much of her superstructure, including her main battery, remained above water. In the remaining days of the war, Schlesien used her anti-aircraft guns to defend the city from air attack. After the end of the war, she was broken up, though some parts of the ship remained visible until the 1970s.
Made of black rayon with a gold/yellow thread, this Cap Tally is a VERY NICE example. In used condition, it does feature one small tear, as well as some marks, wear, and stains, but is otherwise SUPERB! Clearly indicates, “Linienschiff Schlesien”. Comes complete with the original paper packaging! Makes for a FANTASTIC display!
