Luftwaffe Tropical Visored cap

[lanners55]

Gentlemen.

I would very much appreciate your thoughts on this cap, bought some time ago from estand. Of note is the eagle flying to the right.

[MilitaryCollect]

Nice cap. Italian maker. The backwards eagle is the maker's hallmark.

[clestuff]

RARE hat man, I like it a lot!

[lanners55]

Thank you gentlemen, I very much appreciate your input.

Interesting about the eagle.

Best regards,

Simon

[BenVK]

If I remember correctly, the jury is still out in regards to this cap..
https://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/for...old-movie-prop

[Willi Z.]

Ben, thanks for finding that thread. I didn't like it when I saw it then, and did comment.

The staining/ aging and markings looked bogus to me then, and still do, when I read this thread yesterday.

[John Hodgin]

These are often tough to call because of the large number of variations encountered. Unlike the Heer M40 caps, there was no standard M40 style Luftwaffe cap. Many were produced by an Italian manufacturer in a consistent pattern and those come closest to a uniform production. Others are "one offs," field made, still others are altered Heer or KM M40s with Luftwaffe insignia added. A few are private purchase, produced by known German manufacturers.

To further explain my "entertaining a doubt," the cap discussed on this thread is none of the above in my opinion. As Willi stated the interior staining and dirt appear artificial. However, as with the initial thread my problem is with the date and maker mark. The exterior of the cap looks believable as perhaps a cap produced in a foreign country; this could explain the reversed and awkward looking eagle. The construction of the cap is somewhat accurate, something akin to mimicking a Heer M40, again perhaps foreign production. Judging from the exterior only the cap could have a chance (IMHO), however the interior and markings betray any possibility of authenticity. Photographic evidence shows that in 1941 Luftwaffe units were wearing Heer M40 caps in Greece, Italy, and Africa, that is, if they were not wearing Luftwaffe Schiffen or sun helmets. Personally I doubt any M40 style Luftwaffe caps were produced until sometime in 1942.