GJ peaked cap edelweiss badge ?s

[RogueJK]

Patrick (or anyone else in the know) -

I'd like to pick your brain on the topic of the Gebirgsjäger officer edelweiss cap badge for a minute...

It seems that Gebirgsjäger officers were authorized to wear a metal badge of a stemless edelweiss flower between the eagle and cockade on their schirmmützen. But the couple of references I was able to find in my books are referring to the pre-war and early war periods. How prevalent was this throughout the war? Was a woven version worn on crushers as well? Was the metal badge identical to the typical GJ cap badge worn on the side of the Bergmütze, only without a stem, or was the size, shape, or type of metal different? Were SS GJ officers authorized to wear this badge on their peaked caps as well?

And since the Bergmütze was so popular with all the ranks, the officers tended to wear it in favor of the peaked cap, making pictures of GJ officers with their peaked caps relatively rare. I'd love to see some photos from your collection showing the edelweiss badge in use on the officer's peaked cap.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Heeresbergführer]

Grüß Di' RogueJK,

The Edelweiss Badges (sleeve & caps) were introduced for all soldiers and officials of the Mountain Troops on 2 May 1939.

The stemless Edelweiss (about 3 cm diameter) could be worn by all ranks on the Schirmmütze. The Enlisted & NCO Schirmmütze had a leather chinstrap...officer's had silver braid chinstraps. The Schirmmütze were worn throughout the war, but mainly as walking out dress at home...not worn in combat areas (though I have seen a few photos of officers with them). W-ss GJ were not authorized to wear the Schirmmütze Edelweiss.

Sometimes the stemless Edelweiss was not worn:

Stemless Edelweiss being worn:

And two Schirmmütze in my collection:

Here's an example of a woven version at the Gebirgsjäger Museum in Sonthofen, Germany:

 

[SplFrcsCWO]

Interesting-- that's the first I've read about a woven version. Was it rare or a late war "thing"?

 

[pzrwest]

It was probably a private purchas item

 

[gebirgsjager6thss]

Patrick,
Just to make sure I understood you correctly.
Waffen SS-GJ's could NOT wear the stemless Edelweiss on peaked caps,is that right?
I want to make sure before I send in my order for some.
GJ

 

[gebirgsjager6thss]

Patrick,
I forgot to ask.
Does the Gebirgsjäger Museum in Sonthofen, Germany have a website that you know of?
I would love to see it.
GJ

 

[Heeresbergführer]

GJ....yes, the W-ss did not wear the stemless Edelweiss on their Schirmmützen.

And unfortunately, the Gebirgstruppe Museum in Sonthofen does not have a website...and no w-ss GJ stuff as I recall.

 

[gebirgsjager6thss]

Thank you Heeresbergführer, I wonder why that was? Hmmmm.
In this day and age I would have thought any museum would have a website.
I guess I might luck out and find someones vacation photos on line.
Thanks again,
GJ

 

[pzrwest]

The SS had a different edelweiss sleeve badge and cap edelweiss than the Heer. Here is a link to the SS style
http://www.soldat.com/Abz SS Gebirgsabz.htm