Questions in Kurtz's book???

[Steve in Florida]

Okay. I've had Mr. Kurtz's book for a while and I like it. What does everyone think about the Luft officer's tropical M41 on page 110? What about the one on page 111 with the rotted out sweatband? and the fourth buckle down on page 155? Looking for some reassurance here guys. Thanks!

[John Hodgin]

Reassurance??? Why Steve did ya buy em? The buckle is a beauty and authentic.

Luft. M-41 caps are tough. There are private purchase examples and field made examples. Luft.
M-41's are not an issue item like the Heer M-40. Therefore, they run the gamut from rough field made caps, to excellent field made caps, to high quality manufactured caps by known hat makers. Unlike the Heer M-40, this leaves us with no "yardstick" to judge them by.

Regards,
John

[Steve in Florida]

Thanks.........

No, I've got a buckle identical to that one (minus the stains on the leather and that pitting looking stuff- on the metal reverse - is that pitting, sloppy paint or photo distortion?) that I bought a year or so back. At any rate, the excellent condition of my buckle and the shiny (nickle?) prongs have always bugged me a little. Mine's got an ever so slight embossed Aurich logo between the catch and the eagle on the reverse.

As far as the M41, I've had mine for about four years. It has the officer's piping like the one shown on p 110, the same rough sewn cockade ( upper left p 111). Minus the seam, the one in the right middle P 111 could be mine. Same rotten sweat band with the exposed tan cord, same excess twill material around the sweatband, same liner material, same bill pattern, etc. My eagle is triangular and rough sewn edges like my cockade. Mine burns and blacklights good. Bought from a friend who got it out of an older collection. A previous buyer sent it back to my friend believing it to be postwar. As he also sent back an Army tropical tunic out of the same collection that there is no question on, it is believed the buyer was either ignorant or had buyer's remorse or was displeased with the sweatband. I bought it as my friend has a guarantee and one doesn't see Luft trop M41 officer's every day. What do these M41's go for now?

[Willi Z.]

Hi Steve,

Plenty of mint Luft blue-gray buckles out there on the market........of this exact style. I certainly know a good buckle from a bad one and would never have put a bad one in that book...

On Luft trop M41s, as John mentioned, these are always tough to tell. I too have one similiar to the one you describe. Honestly, to me the damaged leather sweat band is something I like. One that has damage is worth less than a mint one which easily brings over $2000 today.

Willi

[Steve in Florida]

Thanks Willi

Hope I didn't offend about the buckle. I was looking for reassurance about my items. I respect your expertise. Thanks. I like the rotted sweatband too. Gives it character (and helps the hat stand on it's own). Unfortunately, I can't post photos right now.

[Willi Z.]

Not at all Steve.........not to worry.......would like to see a pic of your hat...will take some of my officer's one too.......Willi