M40 tropical cap from IWB

[Mark Gibson]

Mark

Are you sure ? These would be Brandt M40's then ? Thats a first...

Tim

Tim,
I don't know what you're reading into what I said but I'm totally convinced that these caps are fake, just built from scratch.
They have too many issues which I'm sure the faker will be looking to correct.

Mark

[Tim O'Keefe]

Mark

Ok, but stamp looks good to me ? Good stamp on bad cap ? Or good interior ?

Tim

[Mark Gibson]

Tim,
I've been looking at original sidecap interior stampings side by side with the M40 and there are serious differences. This is one of the things that helped me to conclude that the interiors are newly made as well. If you can Tim, use photoshop/photostudio or one of the programs to view a few examples of sidecap interiors right next to the M40. You will immediately see exactly what I mean. They just don't compare with quite a few flaws in the M40 when compared to known original sidecap interiors.

I also posted a warning about these caps on German Helmet Valhalla so that collectors who aren't members here would also be informed about this new fake. When asked by Robert why the faker has faked a 2nd pattern (or should we call it 3rd pattern since it is a example with headband but no soutache?). I had to think about it and suggested that it is possibly because the soutached examples are well known with all having distinct differences in construction. These differences allow the more advanced and knowledgeable collectors to be able to tell these caps apart without having to look at the maker. Perhaps the maker knows this or just thought finding all of the pieces to make one would be just too hard, after all, this cap has been made to deceive with one purpose in mind; making money. The 2nd pattern caps are more common than the earlier examples and thus don't command the high prices. An original early example will be looked at very carefully by a collector who is willing to spend alot of money on one. Any flaws in construction, insignia, markings will probably be noticed very quickly and I'm sure that the faker knows this all to readily.

I'm not one of these people who can tell the different manufacturers apart but my compliments to the few gentlemen who can because they have been very helpful to many of us over the years.

Mark

[Tim O'Keefe]

Mark

Yes, I see the different fonts etc, the size # 5 does not have the tail on this example, but makers had a variety of stamps and not one makers stamp will always be the same...But i differ to You and others here as to the construction and materials of these sought after items

""I'm not one of these people who can tell the different manufacturers apart but my compliments to the few gentlemen who can because they have been very helpful to many of us over the years.""

Just wish these fine few gentlemen would post more often

thanks
Tim

[NZMark]

Me neither, Mark
Maybe in 30 years or so, if I'm focused enough.
The more I look at the example that started this thread, the more I tend to agree with you. The stamping font is close, but just a tad finer in the address, and bolder in the size stamp than an original I have (see below).
Also the lining material is more open in it's weave than mine.
If this is a total fabrication (and only seeing all these together with the same linings - which I think is more than likely), then again - the guys making these have not done their home-work.
Mark.

[NZMark]

Stamping fonts.

[NZMark]

Hi Tim,
Always good to see you in the tropical threads
I agree with you that makers used various stamps - and changed them when worn out etc - but getting their own name wrong along with their address on these examples? The kicker is we see other Brandt liners on original side caps with the same date (August 1942) with no variations in stampings. Logically this prolific maker's stamp variation would have shown up before now...
Mark.

[Tim O'Keefe]

NZMark

Yes now I think the makers stamp is misspelled Brandl, or maybe thats the real maker
But take a look at EUGENIO's Brandt sidecap, his size stamp in post # 3 is different than any of these other Brandt or Brandl examples...
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=282543

Always enjoy these DAK discussions with everyone...

Tim

[Mark Gibson]

Hi Tim,
Eugenio's cap is very interesting because notice that it doesn't even have these date stamping commonly seen on the recently found batches of caps. You can see that his cap originally had a different size stamped in it with what appears to be the standard font (which is very hard to see). This has been covered by a stamp in different font and possibly different colour with a new size, which has also been stamped below the makers stamp.
I don't have any problems with Eugenio's cap, I do have problems with the 'fake' tropenfeldmutze being sold as original.

Take care

Mark