I can see enough of the maker marking to confirm that this is definitely a Lago manufactured cap. It was probably issued to a Luftwaffe Flak trooper early in the North Africa campaign when these troops received Heer uniforms. He would have eventually removed the red soutache and replaced the Heer eagle with the Luftwaffe example that you see. There is plenty of photographic evidence of these early flak troops wearing complete Heer uniforms complete with Heer insignia and the only distinguishing Luftwaffe feature being the Flak collar tabs.
Stunning 100% original! That is a rare 1st model adjusted for Luft. I believe Luft soldiers were often given Heer caps, you see period photos of guys in luft uniforms with Heer caps with the heer eagle still on them. What a stunning piece! Matt
This is a cool photo as the soutach is still present and it's a continental eagle.
Definitely a very cool photo Ben. They were probably wearing Heer uniforms when they first arrived in Africa and kept their caps after the change to Luftwaffe uniforms. I'd keep a billed Heer cap as well if the only issue piece was a sidecap.
Mark
P.S. Looking closely, could these be the same two soldiers in Ben's photo. Look at the NCO specifically (on the left in Ben's and the right in the picture that I have shown). I think that he could be the same soldier.
I think you may be right Mark ,,
notice the man on the left is also wearing a tunic that would apear to still have a Heer tropical breast eagle attached ? ..
Paul.
Here's another which I particularly like because he's removed the soutache from what looks to be a rather "fresh" cap and applied the blue backed eagle and has blue wool shoulder boards.
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