Heer M34 cap for review

[NickG]

I would like to have this cap reviewed. It just came in and I am puzzled why the exterior wear (note moth nips and wool with bold spots) does not match the interior in wear (mint looking liner).... The materials and insignia are good.... so is it ligit? or one of those greatcoat rework jobs?
Am I just being paranoid for nothing? Thanks Nick!

[NickG]

other side

side shot. Note moth tracks... its old (at least the wool material is!)

[NickG]

front

front

[NickG]

rear

rear

[NickG]

grommet

grommet detail. Not wool wear, its old wool....(parted out coat???) Question: is the cap old???

[NickG]

stitching detail

stitching detail, note paper-like material...never seen that before...somekind of reenforcement in the stitching process? There is discoloration...when you compare the exposed and non exposed wool!
Good sign? The bluish gray thread looks ligit also... am I concerned about nothing?

[NickG]

liner

Here's the liner which is the main reason why I am showing this cap...as it has no wear whatsover...inconsistent with the condition of the body of the cap...plus its got some wrinkles that won't flatten...would that ever pass period QC? This is my third M34 cap and it puzzles me...

[NickG]

liner

Again the liner. The stamp looks ligit but impossible to read...but it does say "Graz" which is a city in Austria. Any good? Again the liner is spotless...That's the puzzling part...Or could it be a ligit unissued cap which has exterior moth damage due to storage wear and unprotected conservation and interior is mint because its an unissued piece? Opinions welcome! Thanks Nick

[Glenn McInnes]

1941 dated? Any sign of a removed soutache?



Glenn

[NickG]

1941 dated? Any sign of a removed soutache?



Glenn

No dates on it anyware....and never had a soutache...
The stamp reads (beside the 55 size), as far as I can make out
"W???s. Jef. G???." or something along those lines... and the city "Graz"(Austria)
You might have thought perhap that was a date stamp??)

Anyway the only Graz (Austria) cap maker I can find on the web is "Schega & Neffe, Graz"
and its not reading that...

[Glenn McInnes]

Stitching on the exterior looks a bit too new.Perhaps an original hat that has been repaired with new thread on some parts of the exterior (dry rot),just can't say for sure based on photos but I think I see 2 different colors of thread used in the same line of stitching (post #6) in a few places if that makes any sense.




Glenn

[Mike Bollow]

M34 caps are my thing, so I hope I can help here.

I think the cap is most likely legit. The wear outside is from moths, not from use so the interior actually matches the exterior from that standpoint. I think it's an unissued cap that was improperly stored. The purple thread turns white after minimal exposure to sunlight, so that adds to my feeling that it never left the depot until a GI took it home. I have never seen that maker before, but there were a TON of companies making M34 caps. I have 12 and none are from the same maker. Good find!

Mike B.

[NickG]

great

That's reassuring Mike! Great. It came from a reputable dealer who is also a forum member so I had good hopes about it...Just that the interior looked so spotless got me wondering (worried)a little. Great news! No dry rot, no repairs, same thread on most of the cap as far as I can tell...post 6 appears to be different thread (reenforced area?) If its discoloration both threads would be the same in appearance... Who knows? So most likely just starage damage it appears!!
Thanks again Mike and Glenn! Nick

[Hasse.M]

I also beleive this cap is legit. Never issued but stored poorly.

I see nothing that makes me think otherwise.

Great cap!