Help on SA Kepi / yellow top

[sgstandard]

Kepi

I feel very blessed to have just purchased this kepi, and am awaiting it's arrival. Thanks, and "hat's-off" to "zbv" for selling to me as the 1st to contact him, though he was subsequently offered more. Considering the scarcity of kepis today, the price was also very fair. Thanks also to Erich Benndorff for his expert evaluation, which solidified my decision to go for it. I contacted my SA-Quartermaster, and he informed me we have both a 1st-Pattern Eagle, and a 2nd Pattern Eagle to decide from. Will post pics when finished. PS: Dig the early, crazy, pinkish-white "oilcloth" lining!!

[sgstandard]

Home For The Holidays

I just finished the restoration in time for the holidays. I really wanted to use a 1st pattern eagle, but unfortunately, the outline from a previous 2nd pattern eagle was too noticable. So 2nd pattern it is. I replaced the gold button with an early RZM-marked button, because the existing button didn't match the eagle in terms of condition. We all prefer to leave things original, of course, but since I had to put an eagle on the cap anyway, it's all good. Otherwise, the newer-looking eagle looked like it didn't belong. SUPER THANKS to Jen ("zbv"), who was a pleasure to deal with, and shipped from good 'ol Deutschland PRIORITY, and so it arrived in a jiffy. Thanks again to Erich Benndorff for the expert advice. The sweatband has been repaired, and is now neatly in place.

[sgstandard]

Kepi

Oh, I forgot the pics...

[sgstandard]

Kepi

The eagle is a good-looking gal, and ready for business. The last pic happened by accident. By the time I got ready to take the photo, a family of Allosaurus and extended relatives had gathered round the kepi for some yuletide cheer!! Merry Christmas to all !!

[Br. James]

I love the kepi, of course, but the Allosauruses et al really make the photo for me!!

Happy Holidays and Fröhliche Weinachten to all,

Br. James

[wilhelm Saris]

why using a large eagle when you clearly saw the silhouette for the early pattern eagle upon the orange?

[sgstandard]

Eagle

It's difficult to see from the first original photos, but in person, the silhouette from a previous 2nd pattern eagle's wing on the viewer's right side where it pressed into the wool, was fairly noticable, and stuck out like a sore thumb. A good analogy would be the mole with the 3 long hairs on your mother-in-law's face that your eyes automatically drift to, no matter how hard you try not to. Having a 1st pattern eagle on the cap with the silhouette from a 2nd pattern that's visible, makes no sense chronologically or historically. Also, there were 3 holes in the lining from that previous 2nd pattern. In effect, the kepi demonstrates the various regulation changes, with the early lining material, the added, re-grommeted colored band, and the adler upgrade.

[sgstandard]

Outrageous!!

The outrage from my little prehistoric friends just because I used a 2nd pattern eagle on my new hat, was over the top. I woke up the next morning and discovered the little "occupyers" had switched the damn thing!! I was angry at first, but later realized they were right!! What was I THINKING ??

[sgstandard]

Kepi

DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME !! Removing and replacing hard-to-find original insignia is a risky proposition, as those prongs can only take so much bending!! I was just lucky .

[sgstandard]

Missing Eagle

Another danger can be when you lose items. After the switch, I can't seem to find the other eagle .

[chrischa]

You're clearly quite mad but I have to agree with them, the pre 1936 does look better.

Best regards,
Chris.

[Craig Gottlieb]

100% original. If you need an eagle, contact me via craig@craiggottlieb.com. I might have one for you.

[Craig Gottlieb]

Oops ... I see you found one!

[Erich B.]

I think the dinosaurs deserve to be allowed to keep the proceeds of the sale of the type 2 eagle--they were right on their decision to install the first type eagle. So much better looking for this early kepi! Plus I believe Petroglyph-Smart is having a sale on Dino-Chow this week.
Erich

[V.I.D.]

You're clearly quite mad but I have to agree with them, the pre 1936 does look better.

Best regards,
Chris.

I really like the old pattern eagle as well and it just seems a much more natural choice for this kepi! Great work and great kepi altogether!