Panzer Grenadier Officer Sidecap w/thin soustasche

[RobertE]

This cap is pretty standard, but I wanted to share the thin branch russian braid used in it's manufacture. It's about 1/2 the thickness of the standard type.

I wanted to show this an an example of size variation - if anyone gets one like this, it's good!

regards, Robert

[RobertE]

2

[Lenny W]

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=438506

[RobertE]

Thanks Lenny. I would consider the linked example to similiar litzen to the standard type, though it's hard to tell from the photos.

[billbert]

Thanks for sharing Robert... Billbert

[afrikasandman]

beautiful cap! Matt

[RobertE]

This may better illustrate the difference in width on the branch color soustasche - regards, Robert

[sturmbannfuhrer]

The green soutache is not necessarily Panzer Grenadier by default due to this designation being a 1943 inception and the regulations of July 10th 1942 abolished the use of the soutache and instructing it to be removed from these caps .

Prior to PG this colour "light green" was used by rifle regiments and late in 1941 was superceded by lime green, which remained the colour for all Panzergrenadiere when they were formed in 1943 for the remainder of the war, athough by that stage the soutache was no longer used.

I would say that this cap was issue to an officer of a rifle regiment..which although the owner, if he survived long enough, may have become a Panzer Grenadier, the soutache was no longer used so this cap's branch waffenfarbe would still have to be it's issued state, R Reg.

I discussed this same time issue with the owner of a fabulous prewar dated officer walking out tunic a year or so ago. The item should be described as it's original issue status. If they had not recinded the soutache in 1942, I would not be able to make this point.

I have a heavily mothed M34 other ranks one, yours however, is a very nice example..

J T

[RobertE]

JT, thanks for that thoughtful timeline review. You are right, of course, and this could easily have been a rifle battalion officer or a panzer-grenadier officer who ignored mid-late war regulations.

I agree it probably started life as a rifle fellows cap, and beings as it is made from that thick pre-war moleskin type material, it was probably constructed prior to PzGdrs making their appearance.

Again, great input and thank you. s/f Robert

[Richard P]

That soutache is perfectly acceptable. I have observed that same size on many original caps. I have a custom tailored tropical cap from Lenny W. that has an even thinner (yes it is possible) soutache than Robert's example.

Normal size soutache on the right side of the photo, with the other various smaller than normal sizes center and left.

Richard

[Andy C.]

Hello, Have to agree with Richard, that link in which Lenny put up is my cap, in hands is awesome. Its a atypical soutashe standard size but you do see them. Hey Richard, i reconized that tropical the minute i saw it!! All nice caps guys.

[RobertE]

Richard, a picture says a 1000 words. Thank you for posting. regards, Robert

[90th Light]

Robert brings up an important question with this thread.

Just how narrow or how wide can soutache be ???

Have asked ebony to post an image of a couple of black Panzer sidecaps to show the range ones can see with those and add to this excellent discussion,

Chris

[ebony]

posting for 90th Light (Chris)