New SS Hats

[colt45s]

when SONDER KLASSE has the silver blured and not sharp, it makes me walk

[stonemint]

I have been pm'd and emailed about what is wrong with the W-SS Erel Generals visor. Here are the most obvious signs.

The first is that the visor is marked "Offizier Kleiderkasse". This is for the Heeres (Army) Kleiderkasse only. The SS had a separate Kleiderkasse system (ask Derek or Dr. Abenheim, they can tell you all about the SS-Kleiderkasse--they even had their own brochure). Every SS visor I have looked at with this marking has been a Franky. There are also ones floating out there with "Verkaufsabteilung Der Luftwaffe" stamps. The fakers in the 80's and 90's didn't know this distinction. I won't exclude the remote possibility that Erel accidently used an OK label by accident, but I find this very unlikely.

[stonemint]

Look at the lack of overhang, the low peak, and almost teller-form shape. This is the result of a re-cut:

[stonemint]

Look at the edge of the crown of the cap--this is what I call the "thin-brim" look. It is the result of a re-cut not leaving even material to re-pad the hat. There is no padding apparent above and below the top ring of piping.

Also, see anything immediately below the bottom ring of piping?

[stonemint]

Now, compare the peak, padding, shape and overhang to the Erel SS-General that everyone agrees is good--the Otto Hoffmann visor. Also note the different material in the wool below the bottom ring of piping. There is no stitching visible below the piping, either.

[stonemint]

Head on view of the Hoffmann visor--a comparison between the 2 is simple--there is no comparison:

[stonemint]

Hoffman interior--no "Offizier Kleiderkasse" (and I have seen OK markings on A-SS visors--wrong, wrong, wrong.)

[PMan]

Waffen Generals Hat

Stone,
If the hat was recut, what was it originally?
Peter

[NTZ]

I hate to be a smart-ass but read my pined thread. Just about every problem with the both of them is talked about. On the W-SS look at the overlaps on the sweatband. Now go look at 10 or 20 real Erel’s. I hate to sound like a dick but the cap is a one looker. I can’t even imagine someone pming stonemint as to why. Oh and yes, there was NEVER!!!!!!!!!!! an SS visor made by Erel with "Offizer Kleiderkasse" marked into it. I would love to see one of my silent detractors get the balls to step up to the plate and argue that one. Sorry I sound bitter today, I am hung over.

[NTZ]

Stone,
If the hat was recut, what was it originally?
Peter

A Heer Inf visor more than likley.

[stonemint]

Gents, here is a page from the SS-Kleiderkasse catalog (courtesy of Dr. Abenheim and/or Derek):

[NTZ]

I think I will take this opportunity to re-stress for the hundredth time why you will not find an SS visor marked “Offizer kleiderkasse”.
1. The term “Offizier kleiderkasse” was solely attributed the Heers Offizier kleiderkasse.
2. Erel sold Heer visors both through the kleiderkasse and direct private purchase. The later would not contain the verbiage “Offizier Kleiderkasse”. Since Erel already used shields without these markings why on gods green earth would they use that shield in an SS visor?
3. Every single SS visor that has contained these markings has been proven to have been rebuilt. Not one single legitimate example has been uncovered.

[PMan]

Recut?

A Heer Inf visor more than likley.

I noticed the similar material as the top used under the last row of piping. Is this hat a recut, or one that was made from scratch? If from scratch, why make it look like a telermuetze resulting from a recut??

[Dr. Strangelove]

Nick

Hey Nick, don't beat yourself up to bad. I find all this infomation wonderfully useful and entertaining.

[Mike C]

And as a novice, me too...