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BG Generals Visor.
I have a question or two...What would be the value of a 1966-dated DDR Border Guards Generals hat? Likewise, since a 1966-dated Border Guards officer visor with a silver embroidered badge is probably worth at least 150-250dollars, why would someone $%^&* up one for these to make it a "fake" generals cap and risk the scrutiny of all the DDR experts out there? Were there a great amount of early 1960's DDR officer hats faked early on, before they became valuable? The only other factor not mentioned would be that a creative collector might locate a 1966-dated Border Guard officer visor without insignia and he decides to attach General-officer material to it. Thank you for the entertaining discussion.
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With respect to the Grenztruppen, the braided wire bullion officer visor hat cockade was worn between 62 and 65. The all metal officer visor hat cockade was introduced in 1966. Consequently, upon introduction and per regulation, many officers changed their cockades out to the metal cockade.
So it is quite possible that even though the visor hat James has is dated 1965, it may very likely have had the metal cockade sometime between the inception of the hat and the time it was altered and then he retained possession of it.
The all metal visor hat cockade was introduced much later for General Officer's and the gap between 65 and 78 makes it more questionable that a 78 type cockade is on the hat. But ..... anything is possible.
The trouble with really telling what is and what is not with these hats, often comes down to having several in your collection. You then begin to realize there is an overall quality difference between the Factory produced Regular Officer visor hat, and the Factory produced General Officer visor hat. Photos unfortunately just don't do justice, and that is why it is easy to get ripped off. If you can actually have access to the hat before making the purchase, the chances of being ripped off then become far less, particularly if you know what to watch out for, and you already have handled the real deal.
Of course, if a regular officer opts to have his visor hat Tailored such as by Emhage, then all bets are off and it becomes a whole new ball game. I think it would be far more difficult to tell if someone altered a Tailored Grenz visor hat.
However, Gordon makes a very good and valid point with respect to the number of Grenztruppen General Officers that actually served, with respect to tailored uniforms, inclusive of tailored visor hats. The numbers should be far less than that of the factory produced hats.
Michael D. GALLAGHER
M60-A2 Tank Commander Cold War proverb: “You can accomplish more with a kind word and a ‘Shillelagh’ than you can with just a kind word.”Comment
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most army and air force generals visor hats that i have seen dated 1967 thru 1978 have metal wreaths. it's my opinion that they changed to metal wreaths the same year (1965) as officers.
tonyComment
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Border Guard Visor
By the way, I have a 1970-dated Border Guard visor with a grey sweatband. Does that mean it was supposed to be a General officer's visor?
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Thank you!
Hi Gents, I want to thank you for your constructive comments on my altered Grenz general visor hat. It turned to be a actual authentic Grenz officer visor hat with a general's gold emblem. I am thinking about removing the DDR Grenz general emblem from that hat. OR I keep it with general emblem on. Thanks especially Micheal for your constructive and interesting comments! Thanks! JamesComment
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Hat
Since the hat is a size 53, I would try to reinstate the hat to its original situation. I doubt there were any DDR General officers with a size 53 head.Comment
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