Luftwaffe M 43 Caps

[Richard P]

Mike and Mike,

I had no doubts about the cap at all, I am always curious about period bullion work in case I see something I am unfamiliar with. If I have caused any doubt or travail, I will gladly purchase the cap for whatever the original purchase price was, to relieve any pain or doubt I have caused...ha ha ha.

Sorry if I gave the wrong impression!

Richard

[Mike S]

Richard,

No problem at all, it was a good observation on your part.

Regards,
Mike

[Robert Shoaf]

M43 question

Apologies for not being able to post photos, but I just viewed a Luftwaffe M43 cap on a dealer's website, that looked OK to me, save a tan/ light gold rayon interior. Any chance that is correct? Thanks.

Bob Shoaf

[Mauser HSc]

Tropical LW M43

Here's a Tropical example. Most likely field or Italian made. Hope you like it!

[Mauser HSc]

close-up

[STUG III]

M43

The body of the M43 is a well known legit RBNr. As for the insignia, maybe post war applied, I thought this firm used 'trap' insignia almost exclusively on there M43's. It's not sewn through the lining is it? Nice M43 other then the insignia question. Thanks for showing. Dave.

[leatherneck]

Does anybody know when the plastic pebble buttons were first introduced?
Jim.

[90th Light]

Does anybody know when the plastic pebble buttons were first introduced?
Jim.

They are not plastic, they are made of glass (in some cases porcelain) and they were certainly in use in 1943 even mid-1942. Not sure exactly when they first used them but I have never seen a cap dated 1941 with glass buttons.

There may of course be earlier caps which used them but I have not seen one,

Chris

[Jos L C]

They are not plastic, they are made of glass (in some cases porcelain) and they were certainly in use in 1943 even mid-1942. Not sure exactly when they first used them but I have never seen a cap dated 1941 with glass buttons.

There may of course be earlier caps which used them but I have not seen one,

Chris

Glass or plastic .., one of my caps has a "plastic" button ..

Jos.

[90th Light]

Glass or plastic .., one of my caps has a "plastic" button ..

Jos.

Hello Jos,

do you mean this type of button pictured on Luca's cap below because I was referring to the type that Jim ("leatherneck") showed in post number 401 ?

I have often wondered if the type on Luca's cap is made from "Casein Plastic", "Thermoplastics", (early) "Polystyrene", "Composite" or "Bakelite"

The Germans were very advanced, leading the development and making break throughs in all of these before the start of WW2. In fact it is amazing that we do not see more made from synthetic polymers in the years 1940 to 1945,

Chris

p.s. they also made this style of button in glass.

[leatherneck]

Hi Chris,
the buttons are not made of either glass or porcelain, definately some sort of composite/plastic and are original to the cap. I'll try and post a few more images of the reverse to clarify.
Thanks Jim.

[leatherneck]

My mistake........glass

[STUG III]

Posting of my Luft. M43's

Here is a few of the well known and trusted M43's and how there insignia is applied. Enjoy. DL

[STUG III]

luft.

1m

[STUG III]

luft.

2