Showcase your reenactment headgear.

[JurgenHaack]

Larry,

Jacob Caputo did the Q M42 for me.

The "texled" caps do not come aged in any way, you have to do it. Fire and ice works wonders on wool

[collecter]

Absolutely brilliant!

John, I really like your Austrian made copy 'crusher' cap. Did the knap wear off from use, or did the fabric just break down with time. I understand that the ATF 'texled' (sp?) items are gone over with a controlled heat source to remove the knap and produce an aged effect. I have handled some of their 'texled' fabric and it is very convincing. Well done, though a bit top end for my modest budget.

Jurgen, the Quist M42 shell with Euro chicken wire is really well done!

Did you make your own Zimmerit paste from scratch?

I made a test batch a year back using a formula taken from the original Zimmerit factory specifications. It turned out well, and contrary to common belief the material does not weigh all that much. I believe a modest coating on a helmet shell only added about 150 grams, but I will have to check my notes. And the barium used in the mixture is not radio active! It is the same sort that is used in an oral swallow gastrointestinal examination. A lot of misconceptions out there about Zimmerit paste, most based on hearsay.

Hi Larry.
Its a mixure of use and time,I have worn this at events for the last 25 years,I do not artificially age gear,you can screw it up and pack it away,the inside is sweat stained (when we use to have hot weather at the war and peace show),I even had some one ask if it was original.The main thing I find difficult is trying to get decent repro insignia.John

[Kirk09]

GD43 Division Norge Waffen-SS officer White camo M43
and GD 43 Panzer officer M43 with T insignia















Thanks to Alex from GD43 for the fantastic job!!!

[Larry Davis]

Nice hats, I had never heard of GD43 before. I just checked out their web site, thanks for the heads up!

[Kirk09]

Thanks Larry! And their prices are very afforable too for custom-made caps!!

[JurgenHaack]

Italian gabardine M43 made by Alex (GD43). The color is the closest thing to original Italian gabardine I have encountered thus far and the trap is pretty sweet as well! I really think Alex makes the best M43's on the market period.

[M98CZ]

My re-enactment helmet... natural patina. I think it's nice.

[collecter]

Arrived today from my old friend James Brown of Extra Klasse,my new Janke crusher(note they do not come with insignia or cap cords)I have customised this based on a friends original.John

[Kirk09]

Beautiful hat! I always wanted a Janke crusher. I heard they are the next best thing to an original. Insignias are looking great too! I assume these are also replicas. May I know from which dealer please. I have been looking for decent adler and skull for a while but did not find satsfying ones. But yours are great!

[collecter]

Hi,the eagle is a polish copy,part of a set I got at the War & peace show in the Uk,but have no contact details,the skull is not that brillient I repainted it metalic silver it will do until hopefully I can pick up a polish TK at this years show.In the states this firm has european made eagle and skulls for $75 http://www.1944militaria.com.
here is an internal shot of the cap,I have Erel repro's but although cheaper,fade into comparison to a Janke.

[tinmantis]

Thanks Larry! And their prices are very afforable too for custom-made caps!!

your white camo is awesome, I'd like one of those for the slopes!
(what was the price?)
regards
jon

[Kirk09]

The white Camo officer SS hat was around the same price of high quality hats like the texled line of M43s made by At the front. $85 + shipping. In my opinion, for a high quality custom-made hat to your specification, whatever it can be, anything under $100 is really not expensive. These are not cookie-cutter assembly-line work and it shows. Alex at GD43 do them one at a time with great commitment to authenticity and quality.

[PaulW]

Waffen SS M43 with trapezoid insignia

Hi, thought I'd add this to the thread. Bought the cap from Richard Underwood in the UK a few years ago. I just had Jan Macnicol (based in the south-east UK) age it for me, he also added stamps and improved the gromets.

Jan is available for work and very reasonable. His e-mail :-

jan.macnicol@tesco.net

[PaulW]

Waffen SS M43 cap with 2 piece insignia

Jan also aged etc this cap. He also added original buttons, on this one a feldgrau glass type button. Again, cap bought from Richard Underwood (UK) 4-5 years ago.

[PaulW]

Stamps for the above caps

Stamps for the above caps added in by Jan.