dak cap

[BenVK]

I don't think John is referring to your caps Mark.

God help us if he is!

[TONY Q.W.]

Good caps indeed.

[John Hodgin]

I don't think John is referring to your caps Mark.

God help us if he is!

No I was not, nor was I referring to the detail photos from genuine caps, an unfortunate result of writing in extreme haste. But the cap beginning this thread and the similar Glenn posted. In haste again, regards,
John

[NZMark]

Thanks John,
I know the caps are 100% originals - just teasing
Mark

[90th Light]

Any mint or near mint cap without a maker mark (or RB) and size is not only "not a good sign" Chris, in fact it is reason for complete damn-nation. No period German cap would have left a factory without a size stamp of some kind, this was essential for issue.

But I fear even stating this is giving to much information to the bad guys. Many early fakes have either no makers mark, or totally absurd "made up" maker marks. Despite claims to the contrary, many fakers have no idea what the proper mark is for an early M40, or how the insignia should be applied for a Halfar vs a Lubstein. Sadly, and horribly, too much of this information is being tossed about here and the bad guys are learning. Thankfully, so far no IDIOT has published or posted in depth photos of all the M40 manufacturer's marks or the marks of any other producers of German WWII uniforms. Although some marks were shown in the Kurtz DAK book, and I wish they had not been, thankfully they were not linked to specific uniforms. Readers here may not venture to the Fj Forum much, but you will NEVER see photos there of early jump smock manufacturers markings! To post these markings would be insane!

Regarding your last comment, good Chris, for (IMHO) the only genuine caps on this thread are your two side caps. Willi often says, study genuine pieces, do not dwell on the fakes. It would be good to learn who is producing caps like the one which began this thread, but no matter how much reseach is done, it is still crap. IMHO of course.

Merry Christmas to all!
John

Thanks John,

I feel this has been a good thread with interesting input from both sides of the coin. Perhaps I should not have put up the "Hans Gorn" maker mark but I felt that those reading this had to see all of that cap to be able to judge it.

The two tropical M40's which Mark put up in post numbers 115 & 116 are particularily interesting esp. the one with a size marking only

I would be interested to see more caps by the firm of Hans Gorn or any other caps with aluminum grommets. If anyone reading this has an example then I ask them to please post or at least share what they have seen.

Anyway, time for for Christmas and family now so I hope you all have a very merry and enjoyable Christmas,

Chris

[NZMark]

Here's some images of another of these caps that I have on file...
Mark

[NZMark]

2

[NZMark]

and the money shot...
Mark

[Richard P]

Mark,

The further away you get...the better they look. They do look mighty fine and at this distance...until the money shot. Still interesting to research. Thanks for adding even more examples.

Richard

[OSS]

It would be great if they had been made as movie props (and marked as such) as they are very realistic copies, but the sad truth is that they were designed to defraud unsuspecting serious collectors and therefore they are essentially criminal. And while I won't go so far as to say that those who insist on trying to lend credence to these caps are part of some conspiricy, they are doing a disservice to the collecting community by inadvertantly perpetuating the original fraudulent intent.

[BenVK]

And while I won't go so far as to say that those who insist on trying to lend credence to these caps are part of some conspiricy, they are doing a disservice to the collecting community by inadvertantly perpetuating the original fraudulent intent.

Interesting point, could you expand on that? I don't see anyone insisting on anything.

I saw a few of these caps being peddled by a UK dealer a few years ago. As said already, they looked good from a distance but quickly fell down on closer inspection. We had a chat about them and when it became obvious to the seller that I wasn't buying, he seemed very uncomfortable. We're talking 2 to 3k pounds each. As he was chatting up another customer, I noticed he had some more trop caps but these weren't very well made in comparrison. He said something like these are just for re-enactors but when he turned his head for a moment, I noticed the price tags which were 400 quid each.

Hmmm.....

[OSS]

You make a case in point in that 3k Pounds (close to $6,000 US) is a significant fraud and while it's great that you are immune to victimization due to your keen eye and vast experience there are others who are not so fortunate. Perhaps it's a good thing you're not overly "openminded".

[BenVK]

It's Christmas so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.

Any other time and I would say you're trying to take the piss out of me which I don't appreciate.

[OSS]

No insult intended, I am genuinely pleased that these caps have failed to convince you; but I have personally witnessed others fooled by these exact caps pictured above and see them and other expensive fakes as a threat of sorts to the hobby. Many new collectors, after being burned a few times, call it quits out of frustration and this is perhaps the main reason there are so few new collectors.

[BenVK]

My missunderstanding. Apologies.

I'm too acustomed to London life. Saying what you said would automaticaly equal an insult.