KM Visor

[david carlson]

Thought I'd share some shots of my KM visor. Would love to see some other KM visor photos from you all . . .

[david carlson]

Inside is a little rough . . . Note the initials.

[david carlson]

The eagle is a little worn as well, but still looks good.

[Michel]

Hi David,

Post more pictures if you want a opinion...

Regards

Michel

[david carlson]

Hi, Michel:

Glad to post a couple of more pictures, and always glad to get opinions.

You'll probably guess the previous owner of the cap from the picture: Bill Shea. I was looking for a nice KM visor that was not too worn, and not too pristine, either, so I got in touch with Bill. He said he had just the item, and sold it to me. It hadn't reached his website yet.

It would be nice if any Forum members out there who have a KM visor would share some photos. I think they're some of the sharpest headgear from the war.

David

[david carlson]

Here's another close up

[George Stimson]

Here's another one from Bill Shea.

[George Stimson]

Another view.

[George Stimson]

A KM Administrative Official's visor.

[George Stimson]

Side view.

[Gordon Williamson]

Here is an NCO



Matching celleon insignia




Note, typically for issue NCO caps, no celluloid sweat diamond, and split in sweatband offset to one side, not centrally at rear.



This one has removeable top. Note the correct cheesecloth layer over internal lining.

[Gordon Williamson]

Leutnant - Kapitänleutnant

Nice salty piece.



Insignia all matching toned, swastika is celleon, rest of eagle bullion.



Interior slightly darker blue than usual, and gray sweatband.

[Gordon Williamson]

Korvettenkapitän - Kapitän zur See









Colours haven't come out too good on these, too much light

Maker marked in ink on inside face of sweatband.

Original owner and history known.(Nobody special I'm afraid)

[david carlson]

Gordon:

What a fantastic collection of KM visors! You've made my morning!

It's amazing what a different look the silver insignia create on the administration visor. It looks great, but I think it underscores just how sharp the blue and gold are on the other visors.

I absolutely love the "salty" caps. Great shapes and textures. The Kapitänleutnant cap . . . how do I put this . . . When I think of a KM visor, the image I get in my head looks exactly like that cap. Great!

A couple of questions for you:

What would your guess be as to the percentage of caps with the removable covers?

And, could you share the history of the Kapitän zur See visor? I'd love to hear about it.

Thanks again!

David

[Gordon Williamson]

David,

For some reason the majority of NCO caps I had have found had removable tops, I've only ever had a couple with fixed tops, and these were higher quality private purchase pieces - I always prefer regulation issue caps.
With officer caps the reverse has been true, I have only had a couple with removable tops, most have been fixed. Those with removable tops I had were pre-war. Could be because after the outbreak of war the white tops were rarely ever worn (apart from obvious exceptions like ships captains). I'dguess around 80 % of those I see are fixed top.

By the way, I think your cap passed through my hands at one time. I recognise the unsual brown lining with sweat diamond running side to side, the rips to the sweatband and the slight wear to the eagles wing on the left. The guy I seem to remember selling it to is now in the States, so it may well be the cap. I got it from an English dealer and traded a Knights Cross winner Wehrpass for it. Very nice cap.