Tropical EM's m40

[NZMark]

Hi Team,
I'd like to show this cap and get some comments on the lack of false turn down. The cap is without doubt original, my question is - when was this feature (or lack of) introduced? Any specific manufacturer? As can be seen, no makers mark is visible any longer, just the hand written 'ORAM'. The cap shows wear and is correct in every other feature for what I would have thought a 42 dated example would show (post soutache, pre oilcloth liner band).
All comments welcome!
Mark.

[NZMark]

[NZMark]

Machine stitched, then finished by hand. Nice.

[NZMark]

[NZMark]

[NZMark]

[NZMark]

[NZMark]

[NZMark]

[NZMark]

[MilitaryCollect]

Tropical EM's m40

Hi Mark,

Have your tried a blacklight to pick up a manufacturer stamp (probably RbNr in this case) and date? Perhaps a French manufacturer?

Here's a tropical SS cap without the false turndown. The maker is attributed to a French manufacturer.

Christopher

[NZMark]

Hi Chris,
I don't have a black-light, but that's an option. Any photos of these in use? This one has certainly been in the field...
Mark.

[billbert]

Looks Believable to me...Maybe it was made for ORG TODT and got used as ARMY...JMHO Billbert

[MilitaryCollect]

Tropical EM's m40

HI,

What I find most interesting about your cap Mark is the hat's factory double horizontal stitching over the bottom of the cockade. This would indicate it was attached during the manufacture and not after. Haven't seen that feature before either.

Your hat looks good to me, and I give it a thumbs up. I like the fabric, bill, grommets, interior and cockade and eagle. It's probably a very late 42 - 43 French manufacture. That is my best guess.

I respect billbert's opinions very much, but doubt it was Org. Todt. Every such example I have seen of a tropical Todt cap includes the false turn down and two verticle buttons on the center. The tropical "Todt's" seem to have been be made from a smooth light tan fabric. Happy to post photos of an Afrika Todt em cap and an officer's too.

Here's a tropical luft cap without the false turn down. The style did exist, but I haven't seen a Heer example before - especially with Heer tropical fabric. I checked the books for you, but only found two similar tropical examples (Luftwaffe and SS - pictured below).

Christopher

[NZMark]

Hi Bilbert,
I don't think so - the entire cap is consistant with a standard manufactured tropical cap - minus the false-flap. Also, the references I have to Todt show the usual feature of the turn down as well (I don't mind being corrected on any of these points, lads )
The profile is spot on, too. Nothing wrong with materials or construction...a variation on a theme? Does anyone else have one of this type - with a maker and date?
I believe this is totally original, by the way - that isn't why I'm posting. I'd just like more information on this. PM me if you want to?
Many Thanks,
Mark.