Panzer m43

[BenVK]

Talking about Org. Todt. caps, I have this photo on file. Same as yours Chris?

[90th Light]

Yes Ben, that is it

reads "Carl Halfar Berlin & Griesen"

also I have seen the Halfar marking that you show in in postings number 43 and 44. The one I saw was dated 1943. I think the markings that you are showing are both dated 1944 ?

Could not fault the Halfar panzer cap which I got to handle but it had been throughly washed at some stage. No Russian capture marks however. Was an LW HG one, the eagle had been applied with a Halfar type zig-zag stitch which I have seen on their tropical caps, cockade hand stitched on.

Great thread and long over due,

Chris

[Glenn McInnes]

but it had been throughly washed at some stage.

Chris

And usually always the case with these type black hats.



Glenn

[Gene]

I've got a couple of questions about this.

1. Are you not one of the big dealers yourself?
2. What made you unsure of this cap to sell it as a repro?
3. If you were not sure about the ebay cap with it in hand, why then do you think that Jacques' cap is fake, as you said twice in your posts?

I hope Gerard can provide some insight because I too am interested. Also, why do some Americans list their stuff on ebay.uk? Less fees or something?

[BenVK]

Yet another variation, this time printed on the lining under a shield.

[BenVK]

Again on a trop cap.

[BenVK]

So now compare with one from a visor cap.

[BenVK]

What's obviously apparent is that the stamp in the 3 black caps is just the top half of the whole stamp seen above.

CARL HALFAR
UNIFORM - MUTZENFABRIK
-------------

Plus a size and a date of course, whereas the stamps in all the others follow a different style. What does it mean? Not sure yet, still working on it.

[Glenn McInnes]

What's obviously apparent is that the stamp in the 3 black caps is just the top half of the whole stamp seen above.

CARL HALFAR
UNIFORM - MUTZENFABRIK
-------------

Plus a size and a date of course, whereas the stamps in all the others follow a different style. What does it mean? Not sure yet, still working on it.

Ah,but Ben then why are no standard green Heer,W-SS etc M43 hats ever seen by this maker,showing similar wear,markings (I don't recall ever seeing any,except for the reproduction that Gerard had) I am quite certain that green M43 hats were produced in much greater quantities.

Why are they always very rare black Heer,Luftwaffe HG,W-SS Panzer, most showing similar heavy wear to the exterior,minimal wear to the interior (except for a washed faded look)odd linings,odd markings etc.Perhaps the Soviets captured all of the above tank divisions and decided to keep the worn hats by this maker only..

I have seen a few of these type hats in hand and believe them all to be bad,artificial wear,bad markings etc,etc.


Glenn

[jacquesf]

Maybe Halfar was only contracted to make black caps? The wear on my cap is even and matching on the inside and outside. I am not expressing an opinion on authenticity. Jacques

Ah,but Ben then why are no standard green Heer,W-SS etc M43 hats ever seen by this maker,showing similar wear,markings (I don't recall ever seeing any,except for the reproduction that Gerard had) I am quite certain that green M43 hats were produced in much greater quantities.

Why are they always very rare black Heer,Luftwaffe HG,W-SS Panzer, most showing similar heavy wear to the exterior,minimal wear to the interior (except for a washed faded look)odd linings,odd markings etc.Perhaps the Soviets captured all of the above tank divisions and decided to keep the worn hats by this maker only..

I have seen a few of these type hats in hand and believe them all to be bad,artificial wear,bad markings etc,etc.


Glenn

[BenVK]

Glenn, all I'm doing is researching into the subject of Halfar caps to satisfy my own curiosity and hopefully benefit us all.

You are probably right about these caps being fake, most black ones are but I want to know more why the marking is "bad" in your words. Please explain.

[Glenn McInnes]

You are probably right about these caps being fake, most black ones are but I want to know more why the marking is "bad" in your words. Please explain.

I am just not comfortable with it,I would be more comfortable with the markings in the OT hat that you last posted.



Glenn

[Glenn McInnes]

Maybe Halfar was only contracted to make black caps? Jacques

Maybe they did not produce black M43's at all.... I have never heard of any,perhaps someone else has.





Glenn

[BenVK]

Got any photos of all the bad Halfar caps you've handled so we can compare? That would be useful.

[Glenn McInnes]

Sorry Ben,no photos but similar to the hats like Jacques owns and the ones with red Soviet stamps.





Glenn