SS M43 Panzer Cap

[90th Light]

Hello again phild,

I have had an email asking me if the bottom of the sleeve (cuff) has been shortened or taken up because of fraying.

Not something I had ever thought about until now but when I look at it, there does appear to have been some sort of alteration because the hem is quite uneven and the sewing which is done using a slight variation of color of thread appears to have been done in haste or difficulty because they have missed a wee bit.

Anyway I will get some of my other tunics out of storage when I get a chance and compare the ends of the cuffs to double check this point,

Chris

This was my last posting on this thread and since then I have shown the cut off SS "Prinz Eugen" sleeve to more than one advanced collector of many years experience. They have all had a hands on and come back to me stating that it is 101% original and appears to have been shortened or repaired at the cuff.

Today, I got out of storage one of my Heer tunics which is also veteran brought back from Italy at the end of WW2. This heer tunic is RB numbered and depot marked B44.

This is the first of my veteran tunics which I have got out of storage so far to compare with.
Surprise, suprise indeed, when I find but yet another straight stitched cuff where they button up.

Anyway, I have asked ebony to post some images of the cut off SS sleeve against the 1944 Heer tunic. Both are brought back from Italy,

Chris

[ebony]

Comparison of two veteran tunic cuffs brought back from Italy

[ebony]

closer

[ebony]

even closer

[ebony]

Inside

[ebony]

bit closer

[ebony]

bit more

[ebony]

reverse

[ebony]

closer of reverse

[90th Light]

Thanks "ebony"

Now the reason this cut off SS sleeve was brought into this discussion was because it was lined with HBT material and brought back from Italy at the end of WW2.

Some expressed doubts about the SS sleeve because it has a straight stitched cuff rather than the more desirable angle stitch cuff.

Hopefully these images will be a help because it would appear with out doubt that there were German soldiers in Italy during WW2 with their sleeves sewn in this straight style.

I have now asked ebony to add an image in post number 345, of the sleeve of an SS tunic which was on the estand and lined with the HBT material in the sleeve and jacket. The HBT in the sleeve of this jacket has been applied in the same way as the HBT lining in my cut-off Prinz Eugen sleeve. The SS tunic on the estand is a nice period original and made of the same type of wool as my cut off sleeve.

Chris

p.s. will be adding some more SS M43 caps shortly but just wanted to tidy up this unfinished matter first

[ebony]

nice complete SS tunic also with HBT in the sleeve

[90th Light]

Have had a couple of excellent SS M43's with traps left in my care so they can be add to this thread. Both these caps have very interesting backrounds as to how they were aquired and who has or has not had a hands on inspection.

Rather than bang on with the stories about where they were found, I have asked ebony to post some images for me so we can all see the items, add to this discussion and increase the range of "good" examples shown here as a reference,

Chris

[ebony]

SS panzer M43 showing some wear on the out side, storage or use ?

[ebony]

SS field grey M43 showing real use on the inside and light moth damage outside

[ebony]

inside panzer