crusher info: visor made in pressed paper?

[Richard P]

NTZ,

Sorry...I hate to make anyone pop a chub without at least having the cap in hand. No pun intended. Thanks for the compliment...I think,

Richard

[jacquesf]

Phil, you will like this one, a bit of an anomaly, but 100% right. Jacques

[jacquesf]

and another one with the "boiled cloth", crusher type, never had cords. Jacques

[jacquesf]

Richard. thinking about you, just got a floppy, pun intended, taking your age into account. Jacques

NTZ,

Sorry...I hate to make anyone pop a chub without at least having the cap in hand. No pun intended. Thanks for the compliment...I think,

Richard

[jacquesf]

Another variation for Richard, also never had cords.

[Richard P]

Jacques,

That transport crusher must be the best cap in your collection. It is way more rare than your SS crusher, I'm sure it cost you a fortune...unless you got it from a really, really, fair person. Please enjoy your floppy, but don't think of me.

Richard P

[Bob Hritz]

This is one of my favorite hats. It has no padding, has no side lining and is extremely light, with pressed paper visor.

Bob Hritz

[Bob Hritz]

Interior. You can see the cloth covered peak stiffener.

Bob Hritz

[Richard P]

Bob,

Superb crusher...is it signals or cavalry? Either would go well with a nice panzer or stug wrap.

Richard

[Albert]

Same as Bob's but medical with a light weight cloth top:

[Albert]

Full view:

[90th Light]

I may have this wrong because I can not hold the cap but the visors on Bob and Albert's nice crusher caps do not look like the pressed cardboard type but instead the type made from some type of Phenolic reinforced board.

These were the last models made and they were probably made during the war presumably before 1942.

Many collectors seem to rate the leather billed crusher caps highly because you can theoretically fold them in half with ease as well as pack them flat or crush them down in a case when packing to move.

This was the purpose of this cap that it be easy to pack for an officer when on practice war games or in real battle. You will not see these caps being worn in a formal peacetime parade/ ceremony but you will see them upon mobilisation. Bit of a grey area if they should be worn as walking out dress or Sunday best. Bit like the wearing of DAK/ topical while of leave or after being sent back to Germany.

The important thing to look for is the intended lack of padding and full wire/ other stiffening. This is so the top of the cap can be worn with ease while in battle. Something the Germans had developed during WW1 and a look often associated with an experienced front line officer (a survivor to say least) or NCO promoted to officer who knows how to lead.

So we have 4 acceptable versions of the much loved "M34 Crusher" as listed below;

A/ with leather visor (the wanted type by collectors)
B/ with hard pressed cardboard visor (now gaining a lot more acceptance)
C/ with phenolic reinforced type board visor (often incorrectly identified as not being a true crusher by some collectors)
D/ rarer versions with different badges/ materials or chin cords (look at Detlev Niemann's up-dated this week to see what I mean)

To really make a study of these caps and understand them then you need to also study visor caps worn in WW1 1914 to 1918 and what they then tried to use in the 1920's. Keep in mind this was a new model was introduced in 1934 based on what those who knew had seen in 1914 to 1918. Even in WW1 leather visored caps were also not a common norm and in fact you will find a lot more press cardboard/ other material types but again with the very light top and minimal headband stiffener which are the keys to recognising a crusher for what it is.

I do not think that the manufactures ever intended these caps to be folded in half. This is just a fact of real use and ongoing packing for which the leather visored examples are the most suited. The original manufacturer intention is to have a top which can not be crushed out of shape and stand up better to the rigors of combat because it is some what shapeless to begin with. Many leather visored examples simply reflect what materials were available when the cap was made or the manufacturing style of the tailor who made it (in many cases these crusher caps are private purchase option and the leather visor possibly a model choice by the buyer at the time (cheaper or more expensive ??? ))

Very interesting thread, Chris