Tropical M40 Cap - No Grommets!

[BenVK]

This year has been quite amazing for unusual caps appearing out the woodwork and it continues...
Picked this one off german ebay. Again, like the Heer M43 with grommets I found recently, this one didn't make sense either if I'd listen to my head but I had a good gut feeling and went with it.
It's an original cap IMO but of course all opinions are wecome. Bryon, did you hear that!? via PM is fine!
Sorry, the photos aren't the best, it gets dark so soon here now.

[BenVK]

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[BenVK]

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[BenVK]

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[BenVK]

Makers mark that I posted before but no one had heard of him.. "Erich Bergmann Ebersdorf 1941"

[BenVK]

This where it starts to get even more interesting. There's no doubt the cap had the tropical eagle, cockade and soutache applied (Pz Gren green) but, there also evidence of some other insignia having been stitched on, maybe a trapezoid of some kind.

[BenVK]

Very difficult to see but strands of the lime green soutach is there underneath the fold.

[TONY Q.W.]

Hi Ben,

for me 101% original example. Congrats

[BenVK]

Compared to another M40 that shows the same material although it's more of an olive colour.

[BenVK]

Thanks Tony, I have no doubts either but it asks some interesting questions doesn't it?

[TONY Q.W.]

...yes this gromet 'anomaly' could have happen for various reasons, like, 'ups we run out of gromets but these caps got to go no matter what', or completely over looked at the end of the assembly line, or who knows what.

[BenVK]

It's a difficult one to explain for sure. Maybe this maker was contracted to make trop caps but never received any grommets because of supply problems or maybe it's another case of a Friday afternoon job ? I don't know but I do know that this cap was worn and used, no doubt about that either.

[Paul l k]

Hi BenVK,
Going by your images I too have a good feeling about it

Paul l k.

[NZMark]

Just saw this thread (nobody ever accused me of being quick on the up-take...)
So it slipped past the guy or gal placing the grommets - nothing wrong with the rest of that cap. Construction, materials, wear, form and those small details...Very nice pick-up Ben
Mark.

[Michael N]

Salty piece, but I like it.