Austrian Field Cap Stamps

[cdavidson2887]

I was wondering if anyone knew what any of these stamps on the inside of this Austrian Field Cap were? Thanks in Advance.

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[Brian Calkins]

To answer your question, the SL would be an inspector stamp and the I which is probably a 1 would be a size stamp, the largest of the for sizes that caps were made. The 133 does not make any sense, so I don't know about that.

Let me know if you would like me to speak to the authenticity of the cap.

[cdavidson2887]

Thank you for the response and the info Brian! I would definitely like to know what you think in terms of authenticity if you wouldn't mind?

[Brian Calkins]

I'll cut to the chase and then follow with the explanation. I believe the cap is a fake made from a reproduction cap body and an old visor and sweatband.

While it's true that there are almost an infinite number of variations of private purchase Austrian caps, the variations of this type of regulation cap are very few in comparison.

Let's go through each area:

WOOL CAP BODY: This actually is built per regulations, much better than most repros on the market. The only real tell that is is not old is any lack of fading of the stitching. This could be excused if the cap was packed away since the war but that is unlikely.

LINING: this is made of the correct natural un-dyed linen

Here's where the main problems come in:

STAMPS: There would never be an inspector stamp without a dated depot stamp. Also, since the size was stamped by the manufacturer not the depot, it is very unlikely that it would have a size stamp without the manufacturer's name stamp and date.

SWEATBAND: These caps had the sweatband machine sewn to both the cap body at the base and the lining higher up. The only areas hand stitched were the sweatband to the visor, and even the visor was sometimes machine sewn.

VISOR: Factory and later replacement visors had no edge binding. Even the late war composed cardboard visors did not have a sewn edge.

All of these factors could be excused (except the stamps) if the cap had been repaired during the war by a company tailor with whatever materials could be found. However since this is a pike-gray pre 1915 cap, this is seems VERY unlikely. Also, a cap requiring such repairs would look to be in much more worn condition.

Bottom line is that the only thing original for sure on this cap is the cockade. Those brass regulation buttons are super hard to find so I bet those are also reproductions.

I know on the surface it's a nice looking cap, but in this case the devil is in the details.

[cdavidson2887]

Wow Thanks Brian! I think i'll pass on this one then. I had been looking on the forum and the net for pictures of similar caps and had found some, but didn't know much about the stamps. Definitely a lot more to learn than the stamps! Thank you again and I'll keep looking for a legit one!