LW Generals CW White-Top for Review

[stonemint]

Courtesy of Ebay--a stonemint Clemens Wagner LW General's White-top for your review and comment:

[stonemint]

Sides:

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Rear/top

[stonemint]

And, the money shot.

BTW, this can all be yours for the buy it now price of 3500 Euros!

[NTZ]

The problem with the removable tops is they are super easy to fake. I have handles 3 or 4 that were rebuilt and the ease of just reworking the base/band piping is just too easy. After seeing how a few were done, I am certain even I could do it.

[JasonA]

Hey Chris,

Is this a test?



Based on the pics provided, I like the front insignia/kokarde, I think the white top has been washed and I don't like the sweatband at all. I may be wrong on all accounts, but I certainly wouldn't buy this one.

Best,

Jason

[stonemint]

Hey Chris,

Is this a test?



Based on the pics provided, I like the front insignia/kokarde, I think the white top has been washed and I don't like the sweatband at all. I may be wrong on all accounts, but I certainly wouldn't buy this one.

Best,

Jason

I have my opinions, but if I give them in the first post, it biases the thread!

So, is it a ground-up repro, a Frankie, or legit wartime production?

[JasonA]

I have my opinions, but if I give them in the first post, it biases the thread!

So, is it a ground-up repro, a Frankie, or legit wartime production?

I know...just a little levity.



I am nowhere near your level of expertise. I have taken the time to ensure the few examples I have are good, then I get a baseline for authenticity. So my opinions are more of a general gut feeling than anything else.

That said, I don't think it's a ground up repro. At least in the pics provided, the exterior base seems to be ok. The bullion insignia seems to be good, in addition to the mohair band.

The underside of the visor looks a little off to me, in addition to the lip of the visor - seems a little sloppy, especially for a general's visor. I'm not familiar enough with that maker to know if the logo under the sweatshield is bad, but I don't like the leather sweatband. It's difficult for me to articulate why, which I know is not very helpful. Just looks off to me.

The white top could be post-war, could be wartime, but to me it's definitely been washed. You can see remnants of a stain on the top, but everything else is pretty stark and clean.

I'm going to call it a Frankie (guessing you're referencing Mary Shelly!)

Best regards,

Jason

[Jon. H]

Ground up repro IMO.

[NTZ]

Ground up repro IMO.

Which is another point. A lot of the white tops had the lining and sheild attached to the removable top. You take a fake base, add real top and boom, generals.

[stonemint]

I am surprised by the lack of comments on this. Can't be that much of a stumper.

Additional pics:

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Uncensored

[stonemint]

Interior:

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Topless:

[JackHun]

This cap looks like made 7 but not 70 years ago - although I in my limited knowledge can´t see any obvious red flags. The eagle I would have expected to be backed in white. Can buttons and other "goldware" stay so shiny for 70 years? It is a beautiful cap though...

Jack