Mutzen shape comparison

[PaulChep]

Pictures is two mutze. As you can see the one on the left is feldgrau and on the right is pre-war. The one on the right has a more stiff formed shape, kind of like a saucer. The one on the left is formless and less saucer shape. Why do you think this is? Both are original in my opinion. I am just curious about the shape.

[PaulChep]

second pic

[Tony & Kaiser]

I will bet that the perky Krätzchen on the right has a maker's mark on the interior, right? This shape difference really shows itself in Dunkelblau Krätzchen when comparing issued vs. Eigetumsstück (privately purchased). Look at the shape of the issued cap below, you can see how shapless it is. Very similar to your M10 Artillery Krätzchen.

<img src="http://www.kaisersbunker.com/dunkelblau/headgear/dbch01.jpg">


<img src="http://www.kaisersbunker.com/dunkelblau/headgear/dbch01a.jpg">

[Tony & Kaiser]

Now compare that shapeless little lump above to a superb example of an Eigetumsstück Krätzchen.

<img src="http://www.kaisersbunker.com/dunkelblau/headgear/dbch08.jpg">

<img src="http://www.kaisersbunker.com/dunkelblau/headgear/dbch08a.jpg">

[PaulChep]

Tony, I did notice the dfferent shapes on your website. I am amazed the at difference that was allowed. The purpose of a "uniform" is so everyone would look the same. With these different types of hats there is they would look different.

[Kurt Doench]

Paul,

It's probably the same in all armies: a soldier's privately-bought walking-out uniform will be more elegant than the stuff issued from stores. Plus, Einjährig-Freiwillige, although ranked as EM, were required to buy all their equipment themselves. As a majority of them could expect to become officers in the reserve eventually, these guys would tend to buy EM uniforms of a more elegant, officer-like appearance; both for the sake of costs (upgrading when that promotion to Leutnant d.R. comes through is cheaper) and of course to set themselves apart from the hoi polloi in regular enlisted service. Like Victorian Britain, Guilhelmine Germany was a ver class-conscious society.

Regards,

Karl

[Tony & Kaiser]

It's probably the same in all armies: a soldier's privately-bought walking-out uniform will be more elegant than the stuff issued from stores.

Paul, to add to what Karl said above, my explanation for this variety is the following: I have noted, that in unit photos, or in photos taken on a Kaserne, every single lower-ranking Mannschaften always seem to be wearing issue helmets and Krätzchen. But in carte de Viste (studio photos), they are wearing Eigentumshelme and Schirmmütze with visors. This seems to imply that when on the Kaserne, lower-ranking Mannschaften could wear only their issued clothing. Walking out or at home on leave, out came the Eigetumsstück helmets and clothing."

Please note that I said "lower-ranking Mannschaften" I did not say Einjährig-Freiwilliger (One year volunteer). As part of their agreement, EJF equipped themselves and were authorized to wear Eigetumsstück clothing and headgear at all times.

I was referring to unit photos of Mannschaften taken in the Kaserne. The best ones are of a few guys standing in marching order or mucking out stables or cleaning equipment etc. Typical soldier camp life. Issued kit.

But more often than not, studio photos have them in Eigentumshelm or at the very least, a cap with a visor which supposedly was not authorized for Mannschaften, but there are endless studio photos of men wearing caps with visors. I must have 50 myself. Inevitably, they are wearing their finest kit for the "memory of my service" photo.

[PaulChep]

That does make sense. I remember from my time in the US Marine Corps I would always wear my worse uniform for field or garrison duty. I alway kept my best uniform for off duty.

[Gene T]

Aside from the stated reasons so far, can a particular crown shape also be attributed to a decade, or a period range, in which such shapes were prevalent, as was the case with certain visor sizes and shapes? Just curious.

A broad and flat saucer-shaped cap would certainly look out of place in a sea of straight and tall caps, and vice versa.

cheers,
Gene T