How To Maintain and Protect Your WWII Military Visor Caps

How are you maintaining your WWII visor caps?

With WWII visor caps, here you have a combination of metal or bullion (with the insignia). You have wool or some form thereof with the body and you have leather or some derivative with the visor.

First of all, how do you display a visor cap? I’ve been asked this question 100s of times. You may decide on one of those Styrofoam heads which is fine if you have the space on the shelf. These are readily available on-line in plain or with detailed faces and in white or flesh tone. If space is an issue, then you can also cut off the neck and part of the face to give you the look, space and lift the visor off the shelf.

This seems to be a concern of collectors but I believe there is no need to lift the visor off the shelf or wherever you are storing it. Collectors are concerned with the weight of the overall cap. I personally feel this is a non-issue. The overall weight of a typical visor cap is less than two pounds. Therefore, don’t worry.

Moth damage prevention is the other high priority question I’m asked. The solution is simple. Take about six cedar balls and put them in a zip-lock plastic bag. Leave the seal partially undone so those balls can do their thing. Store this under the visor cap whether that be with the Styrofoam head or not. See below for several examples of moth damage commonly found on headgear that has not stored properly. 

Here is an example of Moth tracks and bites on an SS dress fez caused by poor storage over the years.

Moth holes on the piping and body of a scarce political leader's visor cap.

Underside of German army visor shows normal wear from use.

Please refer back to my original blog pertaining to maintenance and preservation for the basic necessities of this all important task. Just remember AVOIDANCE OF EXTREMES AND INSPECTION are the keys to the longevity of your collection!