Army Generals Peaked Cap-Good/Bad?

[Gordon Craig]

Gents,

I do not own an NVA Army Generals peaked cap and am suspicious of the fact that there are so many of them on auction all of the time. Is the cap I pictured good or bad? How does one tell an authentic peaked Army generals cap from a bad one?

Cheers,

Gordon

[Peter A Larson]

Very good Question. I have about a dozen DDR visors of different types, but no general. Ive been afraid to venture as the big jump in prices. I am looking forward to the answer.

[Mike G.]

I doubt there is too much cause for concern regarding this particular Visor Hat. The two East German General Visor Hats that are easy to replicate are the Grenztruppen and the Volkspolizei. That is because the General Officer's hat is virtually the same in appearance to that of the normal Officer Visor Hat. All that a dishonest dealer has to do, is change out the chin cord from silver to gold, the insignia to that of a General Officer, and the chin cord hat buttons from silver to gold.

But it is very difficult to alter an NVA Air Force or Army General's Visor Hat. One almost has to create an entire fabricated hat. This is due to the coloration of the band, which on the Air Force hat is Corn-flower Blue, and on the Army hat is red. Additionally, the Army General Visor Hat is color piped red, instead of white.

So I would argue in favor of this hat being authentic. While General Officer Tunics are unmarked, many General Officer Visor Hats were Quartermaster issue and therefore date coded.

[LeeM]

Very good Question. I have about a dozen DDR visors of different types, but no general. Ive been afraid to venture as the big jump in prices. I am looking forward to the answer.

What are the Air Force and Army General's hats going for?

[Mike G.]

Depends on era.

If you are talking what commonly is referred to as "Open Collar" era, then you are looking at about $250.00 maximum for Army and Air Force. Shop around and you can on occasion get them for less - sometimes $150.00. Volks Polizei are usually a little less expensive. I've seen them go for around $150.00 on average.

Also depends on who is selling, and also who is bidding. You really want to know who is the Seller when buying or bidding on a Grenztruppen or Volks Polizei General Officer Visor Hat. These are the ones that can easily be converted.

[Stefas]

Hello,just wait by buying a general cap.
Sometimes you can buy them for just about euro 70 on ebay.There're periods that everyone wants too buy one,but there also periods that there's no interest in it.
Just between us,buy a complete origal uniform sell the rest and just keep the cap.

[Gordon Craig]

Michael,

Thanks for your comments. I was always curious about Generals caps that were issue items. Didn't seem logical to me that they would have tailor made uniforms for General officers but then let them have issue caps.

Stefas,

I am afraid I would not buy one of the Generals caps you see on ebay.de for 70 euros. There are just too many of them for the number of Army generals that existed. Buying a complete uniform just to get the hat isn't a sure way of geting the real think either. However, this particular cap does come with a uniform and buying might just be what I end up doing. Following the old rule that you can return it if it is not to your satisfaction. The problem with ebay.de these days is the since the new E.U. rules came into effect this year no one offers a guarantee any more. You'd have to deal with a large dealer or auction house to get that sort of a guarantee these days.

Cheers,

Gordon

[Stefas]

Yes its a problem.I've heard that even after 1990 generaluniforms and caps where made with original pre 1990 parts and by the original sewers.
Tell me whats the difference????
If you had lots off uniforms in youre hands,you will see a diffence in quality between the general and officers colthing.The generals uniforms/caps are made off better quality.Just compare them,and take a good look.
Its difficult for me to explain it in English language.

[uscob]

Normally they use other caps to have some original Parts to make a fake one.
The best thing to identify is the sweatband. Generals in leather and all others in plastic material.
hope it helps a bit.
Nico


BTW: Never saw an original Cap for 70 euros on ebay.

[Stefas]

Hello members,just wait.There are some periods like summer holydays.That you can get rare and very cheap items on ebay.

[Gordon Craig]

Stefas,

You are correct that the best way to compare this is to an original. I have no problem there with Generals uniforms but since I do not have a Generals cap I have nothing to compare one to. I'll just have to rely on experince etc I guess.

Nico,

You were going to email me once you were back from the show re uniforms in your shop. Anything of interest from the list I sent?

Cheers,

Gordon