Inperial German Hats

[PaulChep]

I know this forum is mainly medal, but the forum has been rather slow lately so I thought I would introduce a new thread. I have always had an interest in Imperial German officer hats and enlisted hats (mutze). I see few of these for sale and when I do the condition is not the best. I am sure that some of you out there have some really nice hats to show off. So if you do, it would be great to see some pictures. Also since I am into cased items I would enjoy seeing the box that the hat came in for the uniform dealer or manufacturer.

[Clete Erickson]

Visors

I like that idea. I do enjoy the medals mostly but really do have an internest in seeing and learning more on Imperial headgear short of the pickles that is. I have one visor myself and when I can access a digital camera I will post pcis of it. Thanks Clete

[Vadim K]

I dont specifically collect visors, but I do have a few, mostly WW2 American. I always pick up a bargain when I see it: here is a Prussian visor I picked up on Ebay for $23 (!!!)... I'll post pictures of other ones I have later, they are on my home computer.

[AOK4]

It sure looks like that, however the Reichskokarde is missing, but it should be too difficult to find a replacement.

Jan

[Vadim K]

I posted this before for discussion, from what I understand its a Garde Schützen regiment. I paid $30 total with postage. Like Tony pointed out, it usually costs that much just to ship a visor from Europe to USA. So all in all, a very good deal.

[Vadim K]

and here is an artillery visor. Paid about $90 for this one.

[Vadim K]

Tony said this one should not have a chinstrap, so have no idea what it is doing there...

[PaulChep]

Great hats

Vadim, Thanks for posting the pics. You got some great buys.

[Tony & Kaiser]

A few more

Here are some of my pre-war caps:

http://www.kaisersbunker.com/dunkelblau/headgear/

And some of my Feldgrau caps:

http://www.kaisersbunker.com/feldgrau/headgear/

[AOK4]

Vadim,

could it be that the bottom cockade (the Prussian one) is a enlisted men's cockade and not an officer's cockade?

Jan

[Vadim K]

Jan, it sure looks like it. Or it could be picture. The visor is on the way from Germany, I'll know for sure when I get it. Maybe Tony can tell us something about it?

[Tony & Kaiser]

Uh Oh

Vadim,
As I think I mentioned before, you have a mis-match of officer/ORs Kokarden which means that one has been replaced. I am afraid that taking a second look, I see something that is just never seen on Imperial Visor caps, and that are side grommets. This cap looks very much like a Third Reich Fire dept visor cap. Take away one Kokarde, add a Nazeee Police chicken, and you have a Fire dept OR's visor. That would explain the grommets and the chinstrap. If the piping is red, not carmine, then it would be a Reichsbahn OR's visor cap, missing the state chicken. Regardless, these caps are worth about the same as an Imperial if not more, so there is no loss, just a misidentification. T

[Vadim K]

Off to Ebay to find Nazi police chicken!!!

Ah, I love talking to Tony when he has time... Last time all you said was that chinstrap should not be there, so I was left wondering why on earth would someone add a chinstrap?? What you are saying now makes a lot of sense. Whatever it is, its certainly worth $90 I paid.

Now that you got me thinking, let me ask you this: wouldnt the fact that it is saddle-shaped alone make it a 3rd Reich? Did they even have saddle-shaped visors pre-1918?

[Tony & Kaiser]

Re: Off to Ebay to find Nazi police chicken!!!

Originally posted by Vadim K
wouldnt the fact that it is saddle-shaped alone make it a 3rd Reich?

Well, yes. But its hard to tell some times, as an Imperial cap with the peak pushed back can take on a "saddle" shape. As a rule, Imperial caps have a "Teller" form and you are correct, not a "saddle" shape. T

[AOK4]

Tony,

some Imperial caps do have chinstraps (IIRC visor caps for NCO's). I've seen it on several pictures.

Jan