SA General Kepi Carmine top

[Gerard/Relic Hunter]

Hi Guys,
I got this kepi along with a bunch of other things from the family of the vet who brought it back. I took some rushed photos, but can do better ones tomorrow if needed, as I am out all day today. The kepi is textbook, RZM and the top is carmine, though it is very hard to reproduce in photograph. Also, the eagle is replaced, maybe by the vet. The initials of the General were "V.E", could it be von Ebersteins? Is there another OSAF or Feldherrnhalle General with those initials? The kepi was made in München (Munich for those of you in Rio Linda). What do you guys think?

[Erich B.]

Gerard,
I would say it's more likely that it was someone with the initials 'V.E.' rather than 'v. E.'. It's possible, but usually the initials for a noble would be 'K.v.E.', or 'M.v.R.' rather than just the v and last initial. Interesting kepi--I wonder if the vet or someone from whom he got the kepi in Germany changed the eagle, or if it was actually worn that way.
Erich

[laurens]

The eagle is odd the least, but the kepi itselfs looks well. Custom made.

Problem with the initials is, that I can't find a name, while I'm pretty sure I have a complete list with general rank SA men.


Best,

Laurens

[stonemint]

The eagle (as I know Gerard already knows) is a textbook Reichsbahn visor cap eagle for the M-35 visor.

Gerard, any evidence of a prior eagle? I could easily see an OSAF General "breaking regs" and going with the DRB eagle.

[Gerard/Relic Hunter]

Hey guys,
Wow, I thought this would get more of a reaction. It's probably the rarest piece of headgear I have ever owned. The eagle was replaced, probably by the vet. You can see holes from the original. I may have it among all the items this vet brought back.

Gerard

[Bob Coleman]

Gerard-
A Very Nice, Rare Kepi. Gerard, If You Recall, There Was A Holters O S A F Gruppenfuhrer/ Obergruppenfuhrer Kepi In The Kepi Collection You Bought Years Ago.
As You Have The Piece In Hand, Are There Signs Of A Previous Eagle Being Mounted On The Cap?

[Gerard/Relic Hunter]

Gerard-
A Very Nice, Rare Kepi. Gerard, If You Recall, There Was A Holters O S A F Gruppenfuhrer/ Obergruppenfuhrer Kepi In The Kepi Collection You Bought Years Ago.
As You Have The Piece In Hand, Are There Signs Of A Previous Eagle Being Mounted On The Cap?

Hi Bob,
yes, the holes are there for the other eagle. I didn't think the eagle was such a big point on a kepi so rare. Just something easily fixed when replaced. I have the original eagle, an early one I think. Oh, yes, I do remember the one I sold you. Forgot about that one.

Gerard

[Bob Coleman]

Hi Gerard-
The Eagle Is Certainly An Easy Fix. Likely, The Cap Was Denazified And " Fixed Up " Either By A German To Sell To A Soldier Or Done By The Soldier Himself. No Big Deal. Here Is The One I Got From You Years Back.
Bob

[Bob Coleman]

Gerard's Kepi Is Definitely Earlier Than Mine. This Is Determined By The Silver Metalic Piping Vs. The Aluminum Piping Found On My Kepi. Of Interest, My Kepi Is A Private Purchase Holters Piece Without Any R Z M Tag. I Wonder If The " Bigshots " Got A Break On Taxes In The 3rd Reich? Gerard, Does Your Kepi Have A R Z M Tag? Possibly, It Is Early Enough To Not Have Had One.

[stonemint]

[quote=Gerard/Relic Hunter;2728211]Hi Bob,
yes, the holes are there for the other eagle. I didn't think the eagle was such a big point on a kepi so rare. Just something easily fixed when replaced. I have the original eagle, an early one I think. Oh, yes, I do remember the one I sold you. Forgot about that one.

Gerard[/quote

Gerard--I think the eagle adds to the charm of the cap--obviously, such an eagle would not be out of character for this high of a rank...I would leave it as is, but that is just me.

[Erich B.]

It's certainly a wonderful kepi, and to buy it from the source is outstanding! That the eagle has been replaced (I agree, likely by the vet) is inconsequential. I would replace it with the correct type--actually, it looks like it may have had an earlier M29 eagle and then the later M37 type.
Great find and I must say, Gerard, you've had more high level kepis going through your hands than any other dealer I know in modern time!
Erich

[Gerard/Relic Hunter]

It's certainly a wonderful kepi, and to buy it from the source is outstanding! That the eagle has been replaced (I agree, likely by the vet) is inconsequential. I would replace it with the correct type--actually, it looks like it may have had an earlier M29 eagle and then the later M37 type.
Great find and I must say, Gerard, you've had more high level kepis going through your hands than any other dealer I know in modern time!
Erich

Thanks Erich, I am glad it can be appreciated. For me, this one is exceptional because it has never been in a collection and is right from the vet's family (along with a slew of other items). I will post the whole collection once I have the time. It is amazing what this guy brought back, mostly from Munich!

Gerard

[Gerard/Relic Hunter]

Just playing devil's advocate at the moment. It was found in Munich. Could it have belonged to von Epp? I am looking into it. BTW, I just found there is a missing first letter on the sweatband, on closer examination!

Gerard

[laurens]

Just playing devil's advocate at the moment. It was found in Munich. Could it have belonged to von Epp? I am looking into it. BTW, I just found there is a missing first letter on the sweatband, on closer examination!

Gerard

I even thought there was a missing first letter. Have you ever seen a foto of Epp wearing a SA uniform?
He had one out of million kepi. The one you showed is textbook!

[Gerard/Relic Hunter]

I even thought there was a missing first letter. Have you ever seen a foto of Epp wearing a SA uniform?
He had one out of million kepi. The one you showed is textbook!

Hi Laurens,
Franz Ritter von Epp was an SA Obergruppenführer. He also lived in Münich, where I believe the kepi was found. I think with the initials as they are, there is a good chance. Can anyone come up with an alternative name? I can't find anything out about von Epp's SA posting though, so I can't find out if he was a OSAF member.

Gerard