Another tropical Pz cap, to good to be true ?

[Tim O'Keefe]

Greetings all

Here is another attempt at the fabled DAK Pz officers cap, quite a few real nice ones and some bad ones have been shown lately so why not one more bad one ?

First apologize for poor photos, and wish to thank , NZMark and Mr Singer for all their help...in my to good, to be true cap.

Please, can anyone tell me maker & when & where this cap was made ?
And if eagle or (fake aged) cockade is good ? Or if you have seen this cap or one like it before ? All comments welcome good or bad.

The sweatband is of three parts, cheese cloth, rubber, & twill material , and tucked under soutache.
No makers mark, only size # 58 .....
It has been worn for sometime with goggles and headphones by someone ?
Fading clearly shows that too, maybe wanna-be Pz CO ?

thanks
Tim

[Tim O'Keefe]

front

front pic

[Tim O'Keefe]

inside out side view

[Tim O'Keefe]

inside out rear view

[Tim O'Keefe]

upside down view

[besslein]

oh sorry this one is a onelooker fake

[Tim O'Keefe]

Hi Besslien

Thanks, Yes cap is no good, posted for everyone to learn from my mistake long time ago, before WAF existed. I think maybe the 'cap was made in 70's ? I know some of you DAK collectors know your DAK fakes very well besides the real thing...

regards
Tim

[TONY Q.W.]

Hi Tim, I agree that this cap is not good. It's a good effort though and it's even using the sweatband to make it more believable. Anyway, nothing to feel bad about it. It has happened to every single one of us and we all learn from our mistakes.

[Mark Gibson]

Yes Tim,
we all make mistakes before getting hold of original examples. The learning process can be very expensive and painful. Before really knowing what to look for I bought one from a dealer in Europe which turned out to be a dud (Yes, I do admit to it).
Not sure about the story behind yours but I have seen some incredible reproductions that would be difficult to pick.
Here's mine. I convinced myself for years that it was private purchase but basically I just couldn't admit to myself that I'd been had. Happens to us all unfortunately.

Mark

[Mark Gibson]

Interior of the cap.

[Tim O'Keefe]

Eagle

Thanks Tony for comments and Mark for posting your early mistake, In fact I wanted to start a "BAD DAK cap" thread but was not sure others would follow me. Yes I think we should look at not only the good caps, but the bad ones as well to learn from. The fakers are getting better all the time (well sometimes), and increasing in numbers too.

Have posted one more pic, maybe someone can tell if eagle is good ?
It has strong claws, & feet so its maybe ok ?

When one ventures into a minefield without a map or qualified guide, one often doesn't make it to the other side without incident...My first step into the DAK/Tropical collecting minefield was a safe one (purchased a mint Brandt OS cap dated 842, no soutache, in '87) but my next step was bad....this cap. However have taken 6 more successful steps since then, before joining Forum.
(including one first pattern tropical DAK tunic) {lucky}. Once i found WAF, i stopped purchasing and have only studied the subject here since, improving my knowledge before committing again to spend $$$$.

This caps story, years ago met seller Kurt Baier of Germany on ebay, asked him if could find me a DAK cap in Germany to purchase. A little over 7 months he wrote back he had found one, this piece of ****, Looked good to someone that has never touched one before. Except I had doubts even when I got it (grommets) anyway bought it for all the wrong reasons,1. young 2. well off $$$$ at the time 3. too trusting 4. not enough knowledge {this is most important} and 5. wanted a DAK pz cap real bad!!!
Also did not know how rare these caps really are......now i only am #4 & 5.
Have tried to contact seller but no answer for years now.....

Eventually will take another step deeper into the minefield, but with you helpful guides from WAF next time, will enable me to navigate this minefield safely from now on.

thanks all
Tim

[TONY Q.W.]

Have posted one more pic, maybe someone can tell if eagle is good ?
It has strong claws, & feet so its maybe ok ?

Hi Tim, still not a good pic but I could venture to say that the eagle has a very good chance to be an original. If you could get a close up we could be 101% sure.

All the best,
Tony

[Tim O'Keefe]

Hi Tony

Thanks alot. Will see what I can do to improve photos. Also just wanted to add this cap has been removed from my DAK display and replaced with a real nice salty 1st pattern Tropenhelm dated '41, which matches the tunic in wear and time as well...

best
Tim

[MilitaryCollect]

DAK panzer dud

Interior.

[MilitaryCollect]

DAK panzer dud

Hello,

Here's my DAK panzer dud. Sad part is I got this one after I had an inkling of DAK knowledge! Wanted worse than I listened to good reason.

The cap is right, but the soutache ain't.

Christopher