lufwaffw officer cap

[BenVK]

Sorry for sidetracking the thread when what I should have done is look closely at the photos instead.

I have to say that I can see some very odd things here that would worry me. Anyone else see what I see?

[poppo]

Ben please explain?
What do you see?

[BenVK]

OK, well, leaving aside the untreated brown card pasteboard which I've never been a fan of but have seen a few times before..
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ar+erel&page=2
...the thing that stands out like a sore thumb for me is that the peak has sewing holes that have been filled in with grey filler of some kind. You can clearly see that the current sweatband stitching goes miles off course as well. What on earth is that all about?

[Kreager]

Sure Ben, Untreated Pasteboard. This is a huge red flag, one I posted on the first page. That being said, and in keeping an open mind, With all the hodge podge pieces on this cap. I can see something like this happening.

Thinking, very latewar/postwar GI souvineer?

[BenVK]

My feeling is that all these erels with plain brown card pasteboards are post war creations but I can't proove it and it's just my opinion. Even in 1950's Lubstein (Emhage)caps , they used lacquered boards. See photo.

What I am certain of though is that the peak on the Luft cap has been very poorly sewn and why anyone in the factory would fill old sewing holes with grey filler is beyond me.

[Jos L C]

How do you know it's grey filler, Ben ? Would like to see a better close-up.

If post war, why does noone knows these caps are ??

It would surprise me, insignia..etc, all looks good to me.


Jos.

[Kreager]

Very True Ben.

From looking at this LW cap, everything looks good execpt for that pastebaord, so this leads me to believe either it was a lack of treated pasteboards sitting arond at the last days of the TR and treated boards cold not be had, because of resources? or Lubstein was trying to make some extra money while using up stock (companies assets), after the war. Who knows maybe in these "company assets" were piles of late war visors, SB dated '43, late war liners and pasteboards that haven't been treated yet?

It's really anyones guess at this point, but one thing we do know (because the pic Ben provided) is that Lubstein was using the treated pasteboard on his postwar "military/contract" caps.

Matt

[Jos L C]

and how to find all those Erel like eagles, Matt ?

I can't ..

Jos.

[Kreager]

and how to find all those Erel like eagles, Matt ?

I can't ..

Jos.

That's right

[poppo]

Ben,i do not see any type of gray filler?????
And no similarity with the hat you photographed,it's completely different,for me it 's very clear that it is' way out' from the factory,I have the hat in hand, and I can see clearly.
That's my opinion,anyway here are more pictures:

[poppo]

.

[poppo]

..

[poppo]

The seams under the eagle.

[BenVK]

How do you know it's grey filler, Ben?

I don't for sure Jos but it looks really strange to my eye.

Plus, after re-sewing about a hundred loose visor cap peaks over the years, I can tell you that the current sewing line on this cap is a mile away from where it should be. On average, the sewing line for any sweatband is about 5mm from the back edge of the peak, usualy closer. I've practiced this on a sewing machine and didn't get anywhere close, the skill involved is considerable.

You know, this does highlight what I was trying to say earlier. Anyone might look at a TR Schirmmutze and say, oh, that's such high quality but when you really get down to it and look at them in detail, what looks good on the outside might not look as good from the inside. Just ask your wife, female friends, sisters etc. They know the difference between a well made fake gucci handbag and the real thing all day long. It's hardwired into their brains and I always ask my girlfiriend if my restoration work is good enough because if it ain't good enough for her, I'll redo it.

Everyone has their comfort levels so although I wouldn't be happy with this Luft eReL at all, it's just my opinion.

[BenVK]

Hi Poppo, sorry, I was writting as you were posting.

What are the grey bits then? It's clear that the peak's core material is brown, you can see it on the chamfered back edge.