Cossack Kubanka

[djpool]

Great Looking Kubanka caps, thanks for sharing . I've always wanted to add one to my FW collection.

Thank you. I borrowed the Kubanka from Bob Hritz to do an in depth comparison. Visually they look identical but they aren't. I believe mine is a later production piece which incorporated some economy measures and efficiencies. I'm going to post the results of my findings even though there doesn't appear to be a whole lot of interest.

First I studied the base materials. Heres a photo comparison of the base field grey material. To the naked eye they look identical. The base weave is the same, but there is a slight difference in color.

[djpool]

the Red Wool used is identical except for a minor difference in color. The difference could be due to fading or a difference in dye lots. Imagine the comparison broken into 4 squares with the top 2 squares being the cloth scanned at a lower resolution and the bottom 2 at high rez.

[djpool]

The lining material is different.

[djpool]

The fur is interesting. They feel different with mine having a softer/finer feel to it. However its identical. I think the difference in the feel can be due to a number of reasons:
1.Effects of storage, temperature
2.Difference in the method used to process it.

[djpool]

The tress is identical in construction.

[djpool]

heres a side by side comparison where I overlapped the tress. Mine uses more grey thread in the weave which isn't visible to the naked eye. Stitch for stitch the construction is identical.

[djpool]

There are also some construction features that are different. In this comparison you can see that my hat is slightly lower and that they reduced the amount of material/fur.

[djpool]

The hooks and eyes on my hat are larger. I think this was to make it easier to unfasten the front flap.

[djpool]

This additional line of stitching was eliminated on my hat.There is another economy measure taken that I won't mention. No need to give the fakers all the secrets.

[djpool]

Finally we come to the stamp. The size stamp was changed on my hat.The manufacturers stamp is similar, if not the same stamp used for both hats. Heres a comparison. The top portion shows PRAG overlapped onto each other.Great match.Also look at the Z.

Anyway thats it.Hope somebody enjoys it.WR jim

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Jim, I enjoyed it very much. Thank you for your usual great photo comparisons.

Cheers, Ade.

[Rene Chavez]

Hi Djpool, very good in depth comparison analysis you did on these Czech made Cossack Kubankas. I also have a Kubanka unissued from the same manufactured with the same composition as both Mr. Hritz and yours but mine has the dark blue wool top with identical tress construction. It was probably either issued to Terek Cossacks or POA.
There are some nice color photo illustrations of Kubankas that are either the same style and material or very similar to ours, listed on page 64 and 65 from the book “ Uniforms and Insignia of the Cossack…” Schiffer publishing Co.
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Attached below is my Cossack Kubanka.
Cheers
Rene Chavez
http://axis101.bizland.com

[djpool]

[quote=Rene Chavez;1903601]Hi Djpool, very good in depth comparison analysis you did on these Czech made Cossack Kubankas. I also have a Kubanka unissued from the same manufactured with the same composition as both Mr. Hritz and yours but mine has the dark blue wool top with identical tress construction. It was probably either issued to Terek Cossacks or POA.
There are some nice color photo illustrations of Kubankas that are either the same style and material or very similar to ours, listed on page 64 and 65 from the book “ Uniforms and Insignia of the Cossack…” Schiffer publishing Co.
<O></O>
Attached below is my Cossack Kubanka.
Cheers
Rene Chavez

Adrian and Rene,

Thank you very much for the kind words. I was torn on whether to post such in depth photos because of the fakers lurking out there. I'm sure we'll see Kubankas in this style turn up soon. But I had to balance that with the forums intent of trying to educate fellow collectors. I intentionally left out a few points that might prove helpful if fakes pop up.

I have the Schuster book, but the pictures are so small and lacking in details that it really only helps the fakers. There aren't enough detailed shots to be of real help to a collector. Visually the fakers can make anything so it looks right from a distance. I feel they get tripped up with the small details-correct cloth, stitching, correct hardware, weaves on tress etc. Since there is so little detailed information out there on cossack headgear, maybe this will assist any collectors wishing to add one to their collection.

Rene, thats one beautiful Kubanka. definately one of a kind. I've been looking at pictures of Kubankas (good and bad) for a while and I've never seen another one like yours.

WR jim

[TrondK]

Great information and some good looking kubankas! I am looking for a couple of kubankas for my humble collection when i stumbled upon this very informative thread, those kubankas are very exotic looking headwear.

Thanks for the much needed information guys!

[Obergruppen2]

Great looking Kubanka, had one in my hand last week, really nice