Luftwaffe Officer’s Schirmmütze

[John Cooper]

Hello All,

Looking for some help here - I would like to have an example of a Luftwaffe Officer’s Schirmmütze in my tiny but growing collection and need some tips, pointers... on what to look for, makers to seek out...

I will be greatful for any and all help.

Regards,

John

[John Cooper]

bump

[sturmbannfuhrer]

Hi John, nobody is assisting you so I thought I'd try and help out.

Have a look at Ulric of England, www.ulricofengland.com there is super but fortunately sold, Robert Lubstein "PRIVAT" klasse Lufty Visor. This is the standard you would be looking to get hold of, funds allowing.

Pekuru make a nice visor, you would expect to have all their niceties of construction if you bought one of theirs. That includes the black velvet material between the sweatband / cap band which helps to form their patented padding device.

Best practice is to look over many dealers sites, military antiques of Stockholm has a good lot, The Ruptured duck is good also and one of my favourites is Gerard Stetzelberger's Relichunter site. He has a few nice erels. Once you have checked out the available visors, buy the best available, don't save a hundred pounds or dollars by baulking on condition. A lot of buyers also prefer to have the green backed visors with the leather edging. There are a lot of army style ones available at the moment, you might have problems with moving those types on later if you decide to sell it. It is down to personal choice with these, a bit like army crushers and the leather against compressed cardbord visors, many collectors prefer "textbook" examples so stay clear of genuine later war types.

I hope this helps you a little. I have one lufty officer's visor in my collection. This is a Christian Haug, Ce Ha Prima marked example. It has a great saddle shape with a few period repairs which interested me, including one on the bottom wrap around, which is about an inch long and goes under the piping / cap band. Previous owner must have really liked cap to have repaired in such a way.

[sturmbannfuhrer]

Sorry, I meant to say UNfortunately sold

[BenVK]

Clive Watkins sold a stunning erel Luft officers visor on the e-stand recently. Prehaps he still has photos that he can email you.

[Donald Abenheim]

Buecher kaufen

bump

Since you are here in the Bay Area, if you frequent the militaria shows here, there is a book dealer who carries the Schiffer books at the Cow Palace and also at the Milpitas show, at times. He is likely to have the Wilkins book on headgear. Do buy it as a guide on this subject. It has numerous images. Also, Ed Anderson, who is present here, is a long standing Luftwaffe collector and dealer---he can point out to you the ups and downs of Luftwaffe caps. I used to have several, but I sold them all. If you find one and want some to look at it, I am happy to do so. I found the first of mine in Redwood City in a hock shop in 1970 (cost about 30.00), with the Verkaufsabteilung d. Lw. logo and I am sure it was either a Lubstein or a C Wagner. There was a nice overseas cap for an officer, too, with it. It, together with several other caps, got traded off for a black SS tunic in 1972. Such things can no longer be found in hock shops hereabouts.

[Marc Walker]

Within the last year I have put some effort into building a nice visor collection to compliment my helmets. I have found that for selection, quality and price, Peter v Lukacs at Military Antiques of Stockholm is tops.
He is recognised internationally as an authority and will include a beautifully done Cert of Authenticity if requested.
Here is a Luft officers visor I recently purchased from Peter for $1200.
It is a worn, but excellent+ cond, double EREL that was custom made as a crusher. Obviously not in the same sense as the early army field types, but crusher construction all the same. Considering it's condition, the rarity of this hat and the the unquestioned authority of the sourse, I think that's a pretty reasonable price.

[John Cooper]

Thanks all for the posts - lots fo pointers for me to run down & the PMs.

I will also seek out Ed at the next BAM or the napredeck (spelling) show this month. I hope to be able to post a nice example for you all to comment on.

Best Regards to all,

John

[John Cooper]

more questions

From my initial research it looks like the earlier produced examples would be they type to look for (those that use leather vs. ersatz (sp?) materials)

My question is what is a double EREL? is this just the high-end visor from one of the most wanted makers..?

Additionally - I should be looking for finer wool or other materials that make up the bulk of the outter shell? or maybe doe skin? just not for $1500 as noted on one website.

Thanks

John

[Donald Abenheim]

gone with the wind....

I had a nice early cap from Springpfeil in Hamburg with a wonderful patent leather peak, highest quality trikot cap cover, and actual silver content in the Kokarde as well as alu badges. The Hoheitszeichen was of the early variant, with the lower tail. It was a very handsome cap which went via Bruce Herman, actually. It had been worn, but it had great character and style to it. Stezelberger always has nice caps, including early Lw ones. However, others are much more expert in this material than am I. Caps from Holters or Stechbarth would represent the more elegant tailors of the Reichshauptstadt, in fact.

[sturmbannfuhrer]

From my initial research it looks like the earlier produced examples would be they type to look for (those that use leather vs. ersatz (sp?) materials)

My question is what is a double EREL? is this just the high-end visor from one of the most wanted makers..?

Additionally - I should be looking for finer wool or other materials that make up the bulk of the outter shell? or maybe doe skin? just not for $1500 as noted on one website.

Thanks

John

Hi John, theso called double EREL refers to the maker markings in the cap, in this case two. The first in the crown lining and the second on the sweatband. A Single erel would just have the marking on the crown liner or sweatband, whilst a triple erel would have the sweatband and crown marked plus the original cardboard or metal foil advertisment tag sewn into the celluloid sweat diamond.

The triples are very rare adding almost 300 to 500 uk pounds sterling to a cap with a complete one. As an interesting point, I have found more double erel's around than SINGLES. I own several doubles, but only two singles, one of these a HEER General Staff, an all bullion insignia example.

Good hunting with you Lufty and buy the best you can locate.

[RUHL13]

I agree with Marc, looking for a nice Luft, Peter V. out of Sweden is on the up and up. Very good reputation, always gets in some nice visors and uniforms.
One of the rare honest dealers, never had a problem.
Regards,
Gary

[John Cooper]

Thanks again for the posts - as so as I find one I will make sure to post it for you guys to see.

Many Thanks,

John