UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories SS & SA Uniform Forum waffen ss officer's cap

Thought I would show this cap for your thoughts ,comments, discussion,etc. David

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i like it, nicely aged sweat band, and visor crazing, lovely tk and patina, not sure about the eagle though, i say good. could we see the interior stitching. phil.

Very nice, I agree, based on pics, I'd say it's definitely an original!!

Thanks for the comments Phil and drbill. Two more photos that may add a little extra detail. David

There is no way to show all these things by photo alone but there are no extra holes for other insignia in the front of the cap. There is no evidence that the eagle or skull have ever been moved or replaced, ie. no shadows of former insignia. The skull looks to have been folded only once. On this photo you see that all the sweat stains match the edge of the cap band and the vented holes exactly. I do not see evidence of restitching or extra holes. The cap is tightly constructed. The sweat shield is slightly brittle as you would expect etc. There may be some comments about the venting system that you see. David

Judging from the photos only, I concur with my colleagues. This hat has everything one would like to see in a period hat.

very nice cap....

Could you show us the makers/distributors mark under the sweatshield?,,

Yes my dear Hooper, the cap was made by who you thought it might be. I saved this photo for last. David

Outstanding and undoubtably authentic, thanks for sharing, cheers, Ryan

I will tell you one thing. That visor is original to this cap and you can't fake that crazing.

Yes,,,,, outstanding cap,,,

I assume it is of general interest to inform that this cap has gotten totally different opinions on another forum, than given here.

Thanks to those who have commented on this cap, at least on this forum. Unfortunately I cannot say much about what is said on a different forum site since I don't know which one that would be. I would assume that those who are commenting for or against on another site could have posted here as well if they chose to. I have had this cap for six years and could have posted it at any time in the past, especially after Hooper posted his black cap made by EREL in 2004. I didn't then because there were many comments about the fact that no evidence existed that such caps were made. There was no point in posting an item that would be dismissed out of hand at that time. I finally decided to show it now expecting to get some thumbs down comments and was suprised to see positives all. Looks like the reason is some are doing it on the sly so to speak. In the end the choices are always the same, 50/50. It is either real or it isn't. David

After seeing the inside of the cap, there are a few pecuiarities to this cap. However, the material appears to be aged properly by natural means and I still affirm my believe that this is a genuine hat. Of course, there are never any positive ways to judge a piece like this just from pictures. Some fool at one point in collecting came up with the theory that Erel never made caps for the SS. Total balderdash!
Why would they not. Erel was in the business of making hats and certainly, a premier organization like the SS would be a definite target customer. I have two gray Erel caps in my collection and have seen many years ago, a black general officer Erel cap that was 50% covered with white paint as it had been stored near a work bench in a garage for many years.
Bob

Bob, Of all the folks who post on this forum I hold your comments in highest reguard. You have long experience,(more than myself to be sure) and I know you don't hand out positive responces lightly. I know definitive comments rest on a hands on eval. Thanks, David

david, as we all know, if you took an ss cap from the veteran direct, and went to show 10 dealers, at least 6 would have a negitive response to it. yours is a cap worthy of around 3000 uk.[dealer retail price ] regards phil.

I know what you are saying Phil. I am not someone who buys something at the gun show and posts it on this forum to see if it is real or not. If I show it I pretty much already know or think it is real to start with. I have only shown three or four things on this forum in the last six years, one of which was my gray ss/vt transitional officer's cap. No one doubted it, because there probably has never been a fake. I now only have a few sources in the US that I deal with. Many of the caps that are shown here and elsewhere just don't have that look that you want to see. As everyone one on this forum (at least) has said this one does. The age is even everywhere including the wool with light mothing which would be hard to reproduce. IT doesn't show in the photos. There aren't mant things I have seen that I would readily trade it for. Thanks, David PS, if anything I have ever is found to be wrong, my sources are men who would honor a return. David

Hi, I'm new to the form. I obtained an SS Officers Hat and would like your comments on it. Here's the first of 8 pictures. Thanks, CHUCK

Here's the second picture. CHUCK

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Picture#8. It has a lot of very minor surface mothing on the top sides and even some on the white piping in the front. I you need more pictues, let me know. Thanks, CHUCK

I am sorry to say that the cap and insignia are reproductions. I am pretty sure the cap is a Janke. Look at the cap at the start of this thread and compare the insignia on it to yours. For someone who has collected these things for years the differences are quite apparent. It does take time to learn though.

LOVE the first cap. Second one is obvious repro cap.

David, congratulation on a superb SS visor.

eagle & skull obviously mis-shapen,,,all shots called are correct,,,,

Have been out of town for several days and did not see new posts. Thanks for the continued positive feedback. Patrice, I am especially glad you like my cap better than you did that SA dagger I FORMERLY owned. Chuck, do not feel too bad about your cap. Been there, done that with a major German dealer who gets routinely good comments from our European friends. I have learned a little since then! David

Hi Guys, No problem. Appreciate the honesty. Thanks, CHUCK