Crushers,all sorts of crushers

[90th Light]

There are several caps in this thread called a "crusher" that are not. The brim must be soft leather (like field gear leather) so it can be folded and stuffed in your belt. Removing the cap spring was a common way to emulate the look of these caps. Here's my artillery crusher. The sweatband is in poor shape but the owner's initials remain intact...

The most desirable German "Crusher Caps" for collectors have leather visors but you can also get a version with the visor made of a thinner rigid hard pressed cardboard which does not fold easy at all but is more durable and retains its black patent finish better. (not to be confused with the standard type of visor on a regular cap of course which is different again).

The important thing to look for in a true "crusher" is the correct internal construction of the cap itself so it could be packed with ease yet retain its shape it the field when taken out of the bag/ pack/ case. There was no requirement for it to fold in half and be worn through the belt although no doubt in the odd case it was.

All the best and your one is a lovely salty example,

Chris

[besslein]

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Cheers Steve

very nice cap Steve

[Kreager]

Wonderful display of caps guys .

[kirk]

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cheers steve

wow!

[kirk]

Great caps!

[Richard P]

Bob,

I was in the basement of "The Commanders Bunker" quite a few times. Pretty funny about the price finally catching up. I think its a killer piece and I can see why you liked it back then. Was Fred the guy that worked in the shop? If Stonemint doesn't like the signals crusher I'll buy it as a filler...ha ha. Have fun enjoying sharing your collection.

Richard

[phild]

Originally Posted by sdkfz247
There are several caps in this thread called a "crusher" that are not. The brim must be soft leather (like field gear leather) so it can be folded and stuffed in your belt. Removing the cap spring was a common way to emulate the look of these caps. Here's my artillery crusher. The sweatband is in poor shape but the owner's initials remain intact...

The most desirable German "Crusher Caps" for collectors have leather visors but you can also get a version with the visor made of a thinner rigid hard pressed cardboard which does not fold easy at all but is more durable and retains its black patent finish better. (not to be confused with the standard type of visor on a regular cap of course which is different again).

I do not agree fully with either opinions. Field caps or crushers (collector made up term here and as is always the case it is mis-leading) were made with a number of different visor materials including about 4 to 6 different variations of leather, cloth covered(mainly SS) and thin laminated paper/carboard like material. The visor material is not in itself the determining factor of what is or is not an old style field cap. Some standard "peak" caps were made with leather visors and these variations are not crushers (for instance).

I also do not think that the cardboard visor type of old style field caps are necessarily less desirable or valuable....it depends on piping, condition and maybe the overall look. One thing to consider is that the carboard types are rarer and they were very much used during the war. They are in no way "want a be" crushers as they were made as true old style field caps.

What I find a little harder to label are the more padded old style field caps that were IMO made up as a sort of hybird between the light field cap and the peak cap...many of these if not most will be found with real leather visors and it seems that they are often found as General"s caps both now and in period photos.

For sure a lot of peak caps, mainly EM issue types, were gutted out a little and shaped up to resemble the look of the crusher... I agree that these as found with vulcan fibre visors or not actual crushers.

My experience with these caps indicates that there are many variations and I feel that it is a trap to try and over simplify the definition.

[derek]

Phild makes an extremely valid point. Collector terms do often muddy the waters. When it comes to peaked caps original German sources only refer to two basic types: the service cap and the field cap.
D.

[90th Light]

Originally Posted by sdkfz247
There are several caps in this thread called a "crusher" that are not. The brim must be soft leather (like field gear leather) so it can be folded and stuffed in your belt. Removing the cap spring was a common way to emulate the look of these caps. Here's my artillery crusher. The sweatband is in poor shape but the owner's initials remain intact...



I do not agree fully with either opinions. Field caps or crushers (collector made up term here and as is always the case it is mis-leading) were made with a number of different visor materials including about 4 to 6 different variations of leather, cloth covered(mainly SS) and thin laminated paper/carboard like material. The visor material is not in itself the determining factor of what is or is not an old style field cap. Some standard "peak" caps were made with leather visors and these variations are not crushers (for instance).

I also do not think that the cardboard visor type of old style field caps are necessarily less desirable or valuable....it depends on piping, condition and maybe the overall look. One thing to consider is that the carboard types are rarer and they were very much used during the war. They are in no way "want a be" crushers as they were made as true old style field caps.

What I find a little harder to label are the more padded old style field caps that were IMO made up as a sort of hybird between the light field cap and the peak cap...many of these if not most will be found with real leather visors and it seems that they are often found as General"s caps both now and in period photos.

For sure a lot of peak caps, mainly EM issue types, were gutted out a little and shaped up to resemble the look of the crusher... I agree that these as found with vulcan fibre visors or not actual crushers.

My experience with these caps indicates that there are many variations and I feel that it is a trap to try and over simplify the definition.

Hello Phil,

I was hoping that you might see my posting and bring the benefit of your experience to this thread. Again I agree totally with your observations which I know are based on many years of handling these caps (and other Militaria)

After reading your post I realise that my posting was too vague and you have have done a better job of outlining the possible models of cap.

The point I was trying to make however and you reinforce this with more detail, is that collectors incorrectly often discount the cardboard visor version of the "crusher cap". Collectors will pay a premium for leather visor yet walk away from a cardboard one saying that it is not a "crusher." As I have already stated, the thing to understand is the internal construction of the cap to determine if one is holding a true crusher or a look a-like.

Another thing which needs to be mentioned here, (as it has been in some other threads about these) is the fact that this was usually an officer (NCO in rarer cases) private purchase item of uniform so the potential buyer was presented with a range of options for the material, visor, lining, weight & padding. Like many things in life, you got what you paid for depending on who you were, what you needed and how much money you were willing to spend. This fact explains some of the variations and possible models of these caps which are now observed today.

They also were always intended as an item of field dress or day to day work/duty dress. They were not intended as parade dress or number 1 walking out dress but I suppose a high up general could get away with it on the parade ground if the cap was of sufficiently excellent tailoring (the odd NCO also got away with it on Sunday-best walks in the park which presented a smart recognisable officer look). Hence why one can encounter heavier types in the generals model and less often the officer model.

Best regards, Chris

[paul s.]

I agree,guys.Obviously the term"chrusher" is an english one that we collectors apply to a broad spectrum of " crushable "caps.My purpose in starting the thread was to show the incredible variety of types,manufacture,material,etc.And ,wow,have you guys done that!The contributions of our fellow collectors has really let us all see some absolutely fantastic hats.Thanks to all for your posts.Here's another one to keep it going
Best Regards
Paul

[paul s.]

And one more
P

[Bob Hritz]

Paul,

You could hurt me with than Panzergrenadier crusher!!!!!!!

Bob Hritz

[Richard P]

Paul,

I knew you were holding back...that is one fine looking Heer crusher. The condition is great and the lime green really gives it a glow.

Richard

[Bob Hritz]

Pressed paper type visor.

Bob Hritz

[stonemint]

Richard,

I bought the signals wrapper and pants from Steve Wolfe, back in the old days. It was in the basement bunker of the shop in Lakewood. Fred Ramm had gotten it from the veteran and I had wanted it so badly that I paid the huge price Steve had on it. It just took a decade for it to reach the value and 3 decades later, it seems to have been a bargain.

Stonemint is visiting this weekend and has already examined the signals crusher.

Bob Hritz

"Killer" doesn't begin to describe this crusher--it is a Hertlein (one of my fave makers). Bob, sorry about the drooling....