Late Heer M43 Cap Opinions

[mudsharkangler]

All, any opinions on this M43?

Thanks in advance!!

Brian

[mudsharkangler]

markings

[mudsharkangler]

construction

[mudsharkangler]

Rb no.

[Glenn McInnes]

Looks good to me. Grey cotton lining looks typical of what you find in some M-43,44 jackets.




Glenn

[mudsharkangler]

Thanks. Yes, the lining is the same as in some late war tunics.

[djpool]

Looks good to me. Grey cotton lining looks typical of what you find in some M-43,44 jackets.

Glenn

Stamp has me a little stumped. Looks like a Berlin depot stamp. (B -Berlin II-size?) Maybe I'm having a lapse of alzheimers or something, it just looks odd. WR jim

[Glenn McInnes]

Hit the wrong button..



I think the II is a marking for grade of wear at the time of issue (or so I have read in a few books) Have seen similar markings in Heer tunics, B II 40 etc.

Here is one in this Panzer overseas.




Glenn

[Glenn Barbaritz]

Glenn, what do you mean by "grade of wear". recycled wool or pieced together? re issue? Glenn

[Glenn McInnes]

Glenn, what do you mean by "grade of wear". recycled wool or pieced together? re issue? Glenn

The condition of the item when issued. Not my theory but just what I have read.



Glenn

[billbert]

I ve seen the B44 date stamp before..Billbert

[Glenn Barbaritz]

thanks Glenn. Glenn

[djpool]

Hit the wrong button..



I think the II is a marking for grade of wear at the time of issue (or so I have read in a few books) Have seen similar markings in Heer tunics, B II 40 etc.

Here is one in this Panzer overseas.

Glenn

Glenn,

I think what threw me off was seeing the grade stamp in a mid to late war cap. I've only seen them in early caps. WR Jim.

PS I would love to see any other pics of headgear dated 43 or later with a grade stamp/

[John Huff]

The stamp would refer to a tunic that was turned in and reissued. Seems totally out-of-place on an M43 cap.
The other stamp looks atypical too, IMO (as does the lining material).

[90th Light]

Hello to all, I have been told that the "B II 40" mark in a black Panzer sidecap meant suitable for combat / vehicle duty issue but not parade issue. I have only ever seen this in early black Panzer sidecaps and had assumed it was to avoid confusion when the black M34 caps were first made in 1940.

Another member of this forum however put forward a theory that there was more the one supply depot in Berlin and this stamp was used in items from the second depot as opposed to the first. This theory also makes sense.

We have here a point worthy of more research. Does any other member have a cap with a "B II 40 to 45" marking or even earlier

very interesting, Chris