"DEUTSCHES LEDER" Stamping--a Primer

[stonemint]

I was pm'ed about whether or not the "Deutsches Leder" stamping means that the hat is a fake/repro. The answer is no--it is not uncommon to see on wartime caps, but on other leather items as well.

HOWEVER, Herr Janke has used the logo on many (but not all) of his replicas.

Here is an original stamping on my DRB Red-Top (which was made in 1937):

[stonemint]

Here is one from Ron R's LW white-top--note that it is a "G" with a semi-cog-wheel:

[stonemint]

Here is an example of it having been printed in ink, instead of having been stamped into the leather on an EM/NCO WH cap:

[stonemint]

Here it is ink-stamped on a magazine pouch:

[stonemint]

Here is the Janke version--an almost exact copy, and it wouldn't surprise me if he is using an original stamper:

[stonemint]

So, the bottom line is that this stamping just means that the hat deserves further scrutiny--but Jankes have many "tells", so you won't have to scrutinize that hard.

The thing that is a concern is a SB with this stamp making its way onto a Frankenstein, which I've seen before.

[J C Gray]

Here is the same logo on a Holters visor...

I have always been in two minds as to whether the logo was formed by a 'G' (for 'Gesellschaft') or a 'C' (for 'Compagnie' / 'Compagnon')

I would also like to point out that the background design is not a cog ,but, is in fact a stylized Cowhide.

[stonemint]

JC--I like your point that what is all too often described as a cogwheel is really a stylized hide and agree with you 100%--great deduction.

I thought the "G" or C related to a particular leather mfr, but I agree, it is just a generic logo to show that it is "Echt" deutsches leder--the font in some of these logos varies ever so slightly.

[NTZ]

Here is a period one out of a visor I used to own.