Army Officer's M-43 cap

[John Huff]

seems odd that both would have the same atypical pull-down loops???

[Nick Komiya]

seems odd that both would have the same atypical pull-down loops???

That's why I'm asking. If the first is good and the pulldown is identical, etc., is the Pz one really bad or are they both bad? The Pz one is in my collection only for 18 years or so, so they were acquired far apart from each other.

[Richard P]

Hello Nick,

Good to see you posting. You have them in hand, how closely do they match in sewing techniques? Seems pretty much the same with the photos you have provided. The insignia seem the same at a glance except color. Is the panzer insignia black in person, as it sure looks blue in the photos. I have seen a number of Navy cockades on panzer overseas caps that were factory sewn.

That first one is a definite original, or at least I thought so. Since the panzer cap is such a recent acquisition comparatively, maybe you can get your money back...ha ha. Perhaps the panzer cap is original too? I don't recall seeing that type of partial sweatband on fakes with those stamped markings, but that doesn't mean they aren't. I hope someone has a definitive answer for you.

Richard P

[billbert]

The pulls are not the standard style everyones familair with BUT they did exist in period pieces.. I can only say it looks like the silver piping was added to the cap if I m seeing the inside lining shots correctly..while not being crazy about size marked WH caps from the pictures I think your panzer officer MIGHT be a good example of a field upgraded one.. JMHO Billbert

[Nick Komiya]

I don't see any signs of a field upgrade on the Pz cap. The crown of the lining is sewn together on both caps in the same manner with a pronounced ridge there because of the piping. See below how it looks upclose when I stretch the seam.

[Nick Komiya]

Here's the lining crown from the fieldgrey one.

[Nick Komiya]

Thank you for your comments, John, Richard and Bilbert.
The caps came from totally different sources/continents years apart and when I got the Pz one and it was a coincidental match to the one I had since the 70s was sure that it was good. The trap is black, but I tweaked the photos by adjusting the light values, so I could bring out the stitching clearly for you to compare, which gives a bluish tone.
Since I haven't been shot down yet, let's take things even closer to the edge. Another Panzer officer M43 that I've had for more than 20 years. This one also
had its authenticity questioned, but I like it nonetheless. It has a nice shape to it, because the head band has a somewhat stiff bias material core in the lining to hold the shape up, and it is further adorned with flatwire insignia and silver buttons. I don't know whether fakes are made like that, but this cap was clearly made to please the vanity of a fashion conscious officer. The marking attributes it to a maker called "D. Glasäck" in Laar. Anyone familiar with this maker?

[Nick Komiya]

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[CSP]

x

[John Hodgin]

Well stated Scott.

Really like the first and third caps Nick!
Regards,
John