Navy Cap von der Tann

[Steve Conway]

Hi,

Can I get some opinions about this? Apparently the headband liner and nametag inside have been glued in by someone at a later date as a quick and dirty repair.

[Steve Conway]

Navy Cap von der Tann

Additional photos.

[Steve Conway]

Navy Cap von der Tann

Final picture.

[Chip M]

Steve,

That leather liner is from a period far removed from WWI. The tally is a good one, but the cap is not of the period in my opinion.

Chip

[Steve Conway]

Navy Cap von der Tann

Thanks Chip - much appreciated advice. I'd really like to buy it because of the tally but I'd guess $140 US would be too much too pay.

Regards

Steve

[Tony & Kaiser]

Thanks Chip - much appreciated advice. I'd really like to buy it because of the tally but I'd guess $140 US would be too much too pay.

Hang on Steve. Personally I think that price is not bad at all because of the ship. SMS von der Tann was one of the most successful fighting ships Germany ever produced. I am privileged to own a 1915 dated 28cm cartridge casing for the Krupp 28 cm SK L/45 -50 cannons carried on SMS von der Tann.

You can see it HERE and read a little about the battle of Jutland 98 years ago as part of Admiral Franz Ritter von Hipper's First Scouting Group when SMS von der Tann sunk the heavy British battlecruiser HMS Indefatigable.

My favorite ship is the von der Tann. When ordered to attack the British High Seas fleet as a sacrifice by Sheer in the famous "death ride" of the German battle cruisers, von der Tann charged the British high seas fleet with no operating cannons. All her turrets had been hit and were out of action. She charged ONLY to draw fire. Incredible.

As Chip said, the sweatband is completely incorrect, but if that is removed, I see what could be a period Marine cap. The Marine composite Reichs Kokarde on top are expensive and very difficult to find, so if this was faked, I would expect to see a metal Army Reich's Kokarde.

[Chip M]

That is a metal prong backed Reichs-Kokarde. The composite ones have holes on the edges for sewing. Since the cap is not an issue piece, the composite type cockade would not really be suitable anyway.

Since you mentioned that the label was glued in, I really don't think this cap is worth much (with the exception of the Band). The Von der Tann was a great ship and perhaps worth a premium over similar bands, but $140 seems like the high end unless you can't live without it.

Chip

[Tony & Kaiser]

That is a metal prong backed Reichs-Kokarde. The composite ones have holes on the edges for sewing.

Duh. I wish I could learn to use my eyes before my mouth.