Army Officer M43 opinions

[Gerard/Relic Hunter]

Let me start by saying, I don't care for this cap. It is odd in many respects. I guess I want to 1)find out if there is any differing opinion & 2)is the flapwire eagle any good? I guess it's better to be safe than sorry, before I dispose of it.


God Bless,

Gerard

[BenVK]

I quite like it to be honest Gerard. Granted, there are quite a few odd features but I think that works in it's favour, what faker would make a hat like this? Eagle is good from what I can see.

[djpool]

I quite like it to be honest Gerard. Granted, there are quite a few odd features but I think that works in it's favour, what faker would make a hat like this? Eagle is good from what I can see.

I don't know why, but I kinda like it myself. I'm only speaking about the hat. Not sure about the eagle. WR Jim

Heres a comparison with a wartime pic.Eagles look similar.

[NickG]

Its definitely got its irregularities so its obviously not a standard a mass produced type, but that should not discount its originality. It obviously being a private purchase (tailored) piece with a maker embossed sweat band, so I'm not turned off by it either, especially since its an officer's piece where such abnormalities could be expected... Such hats were even produced commercially outside of the Reich for needy customers using non standard techniques and materials...so who knows? Is the maker info legible? Nick

[Gerard/Relic Hunter]

Wow, maybe I am just being paranoid. I would like to hear more opinions though. To me, the wool was Dutch wool or something odd. No maker I can see, but there was a name written in the cap. Anyone know about flatwire bevo eagles that can give me a comment?

-G

[Mike Davis]

The bird looks like a nice original; difficult to say if application is of wartime origin from the photos alone but I see no obvious red flags. I have also seen another example or two of officer's M43s with the different type of fabric used for underneath the visor.

[phild]

I agree with the comments posted above (by everyone but Gerard!), This cap is like a LOT of things, especially cloth items, that I have encountered over the years. That is, it does not exactly conform in every respect with other KNOWN originals that I have seen, nor does it look like any repro that I have seen...or would or should a repro look like. These type items have very convincing wear,age and smell...and just generally talk thier originality to you. In some cases I've pulled them out of veterans trunks...both U.S. and German.....but shame, shame they are not "textbook" and therefore not likley to withstand the firestorm of the forum experts.

IMO this level of collecting is the "base jumping" of the hobby. The most rewarding area, but not without risks. You have to be confident of your "collectorhood" to take these items on these days given the climate of the hobby (unlike the Gen X brand slogan "No Fear", 3rd Reich collectors today have the slogan "Only Fear").

I have no problem with this cap. I can not say or vouch for it from the photos alone...as usual, but I would really enjoy reading someone explaining why the cap is not orignal based on the same.

[Richard P]

I hate following after Phild as there usually isn't much left to say. I agree with his points and most others made above in favor of the cap. I would have no second thoughts about having it on my shelf. I can't quite tell if the piping is the woven metal piping or something else? My one lingering question is, is the piping non metallic? Is this the type of piping that is not woven metal threads and not a complete synthetic looking piping like celleon, but an attempt to make a metallic appearing piping by covering an inner core with some reflective material that shines like metal, such as metallic appearing plastics do these days? The piping I am speaking of shows a non glowing white core when the outer covering is worn through. I have wondered if this material, if original...also comes in generals gold piping? I have seen hats on this forum with this type of piping before too. Thanks,

Richard P

[B. N. Singer]

Were I to make a purchasing decision based on the pictures, I would pass. Not to say that it could not be an Original; having a chance to examine the hat might be cause for a different opinion.

Is that wear on the very edge of the material used for the underside of the visor? (perhaps contrived) Sorry, as per my idiom, being picky again!!

B. N. Singer

[BenVK]

Picky? You Bryon? no, never!

Is something written on the liner? looks like it could be..

[Gerard/Relic Hunter]

OK, Maybe I am wrong, but as many collectors look at dealers on this and other forums as enemies, I suppose it's better to be much more on the skeptical side than giving more slack. Anyway, I'll be the first to admit, I could be wrong. I am more of a Byron Singer style collector. (though not nearly as "unforgiving", but maybe then not as good?) To be honest, I dimissed the cap basically because of the 1)type of soft wool and odd lining material and 2)it's non-textbook style of manufacture.
I have taken a closer look at it and I suppose it does have a chance. But, I took some more photos, lets' take a look. I hope this answers some questions and gets some responses.

1)Byron, the bill bottom edging does have some wear to it, but it looks genuine
2)piping is standard subdued silver metallic piping. It has a core with some white material that does not glow.
3)The cockade has been resewn, evidence on the inside lining.
4)THe cap was taken in, in the back at one time for a smaller head.
5)There is a patch of latewar rayon on the lining in the back
6)There is a size marking that is in blue/purple ink, it is very hard to read, there is a tape mark over it that was there a long time. Actual size is the cap is about a 58 to 60 maybe.
7)name written in the cap is "Birk---er" or something like that, again, hard to read, there is also another name "Heidrich", probably written in post war
8)rolled edging of sweatband is either bamboo or rolled paper of some sort

Any other questions, let me know. Here are some photos of the above.

Gerard

[B. N. Singer]

Can't tell for certain, is the material under the bill the same as the internal lining?

B. N. Singer

[Raven26]

"OK, Maybe I am wrong, but as many collectors look at dealers on this and other forums as enemies, I suppose it's better to be much more on the skeptical side than giving more slack".

This is why I consider Gerard one of the BEST dealers of militaria. Always doing his part to ensure original and quality items for his customers.

Thanks Gerard.

Frank