A newbie with a question

[ww2germanclltr]

Hi Everyone,
I just have a very quick question for everyone. Are the field caps that the japanese wore during ww2 a really reproed item or are they pretty safe to buy one off of ebay?

I really like them and would love to get my hands on one. I see on a few of the dealers websites they run like 200 to 300 is that a normal price for a field cap or is that just dealers marking up their prices?

Let me know
thanks
Scott

[zachb]

The basic design of the Field cap is what one might refer to as the Japanese national cap. That is to say that many civilians, factory workers etc., wore a cap very similar to that of the standard issue. Further, one does encounter some caps that seem to be more tailor made. I am in the "camp" of collectors who believes most of the caps for sale are actually of the civilian variety. So that is what you have to be careful of.

There are reproductions out there, but for the most part they are easy to spot. Do searches here on this sub-forum for good information and pictures of issue field caps (and pictures of civilian caps as well). Also, feel free to post any you are looking at or I would be willing to look at any you were contemplating. As for prices $200.00-$300.00 is about right, but again that would be for a genuine issued field cap that hasn't had the insignia/star/anchor messed with.

Zach

[ww2germanclltr]

Hey everyone,
here is a few of the links on ebay to what I was looking at.
I just want some opinions on these
Thanks
Scott


http://cgi.ebay.com/WWII-WW2-Japanes...item2a0432dee6

http://cgi.ebay.com/Navy-Landing-For...item2c52dd6baf

http://cgi.ebay.com/WWII-Japanese-na...item53df5681c5

just some of these look to brand new for my liking I know they might have never been issued but I just wonder. Let me know what your opinions are of these
thanks

[Jareth]

Zach's advice is golden. Lot's of field caps LOOK like army field caps but arent! Both of the navy caps are original BUT the most commonly encountered navy field cap variation. The army field cap is, for me, a controversial variation I don't like. Best to stick with a text book army field cap. Interior should have two sets of black ink stamps. Keep looking. They're on eBay often.