DDR Border Guard Officer Visor question

[ant888nsmb2]

Hello all,

I have a rather odd question. What is the visor made out of on the visor cap I listed in the title? I can add pictures later if you want. It seems to be a type of plastic.

Thanks, Ant

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[torstenbel]

materials changed over the years. better post a pic of the one you have. cheers, torsten.

[ant888nsmb2]

materials changed over the years. better post a pic of the one you have. cheers, torsten.

Here's the pictures:





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[ant888nsmb2]

Anyone know?

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[torstenbel]

Your visor was made in 1990, but I am afraid I do not know the exact name of the material that the bill of the visor is made from. Cheers, Torsten.

[ant888nsmb2]

I was reading on the visors, and a material called "Vulcanized Fiber" came up. Maybe it's that?

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[Euronymous]

Regular cap with plastic visor. Before 1965, visors were made of pressed and lacquered cardboard.

[ant888nsmb2]

Thanks, so it was plastic.

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[ant888nsmb2]

Is Vulkanfiber count as plastic? I asked another question before this question on another forum, and they said it was Vulkanfiber. I'm not sure though.

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[Mike G.]

The photo examples you provided are of a Grenz Cap with a "Plastic" visor. There is no mistake about this.

Vulcan Fiber visor caps will be present on the very early production caps, which usually will have wire braided insignia, and leather sweat bands. When turned upside down, there may also be some evidence of the applied lacquer having dripped and run down inside.

To better illustrate, examples of each are provided. Your example is of the type depicted on the right.

[Mike G.]

Closeup of the inside of a vulcan fiber visor. As can be seen, they are very different from plastic, and as earlier remarked, often times, excess lacquer will collect in spots on the underside of the visor.

[ant888nsmb2]

Ah, you're exactly correct. I definitely see the differences. Mine is definitely plastic. Does this make the cap less sturdy in a sense?

[Mike G.]

Nothing wrong with your Grenz Visor Cap. It is the most common version is all, but is more sturdy than the older vulcan fiber version, which if not handled carefully, can break.

[Gordon Craig]

Is Vulkanfiber count as plastic? I asked another question before this question on another forum, and they said it was Vulkanfiber. I'm not sure though.

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Vulkanized fibre is not plastic. It was used in German for many years before the advent of plastic. It can be found used to make visors for caps and for entire Police Tschakos. The earliest plastic visors used in East German caps often had a mold number visible on the underside of the visor.

Mike,

Nice comparison of the two types of visors.

Regards,

Gordon

[ant888nsmb2]

Nothing wrong with your Grenz Visor Cap. It is the most common version is all, but is more sturdy than the older vulcan fiber version, which if not handled carefully, can break.

Okay, so it is sturdy, thanks.

Vulkanized fibre is not plastic. It was used in German for many years before the advent of plastic. It can be found used to make visors for caps and for entire Police Tschakos. The earliest plastic visors used in East German caps often had a mold number visible on the underside of the visor.

Mike,

Nice comparison of the two types of visors.

Regards,

Gordon

Thank you very much for the clarification.

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