A study of Kriegsmarine tropical M40 caps

[hcliffe]

Thanks John.

[B. N. Singer]

...Thus, it would seem that whoever made the "BAW" marked hats did not sew the braiding into the seam, but the other makers did....I was beginning to think I had typed with invisible ink.

B. N. Singer

[hcliffe]

based on the photos supplied by Bryon, it appears that my conclusion was incorrect. Some BAW made caps have the braiding sewn into the seam while others do not.

[all1knew]

Here's mine!

[90th Light]

Posted these in another thread some time back. Most are direct veteran brought back caps from Afrika or Italy. (Number 1)

[90th Light]

Posted these in another thread some time back. Most are direct veteran brought back caps from Afrika or Italy. (Number 2)

This one is an early example picked up at Tobruk

[90th Light]

Posted these in another thread some time back. Most are direct veteran brought back caps from Afrika or Italy. (Number 3)

[90th Light]

Posted these in another thread some time back. Most are direct veteran brought back caps from Afrika or Italy. (Number 4)

[90th Light]

Posted these in another thread some time back. Most are direct veteran brought back caps from Afrika or Italy. (Number 5)

[90th Light]

Posted these in another thread some time back. Most are direct veteran brought back caps from Afrika or Italy. (Number 6)

[90th Light]

Posted these in another thread some time back. Most are direct veteran brought back caps from Afrika or Italy. (Number 7)

[90th Light]

Posted these in another thread some time back. Most are direct veteran brought back caps from Afrika or Italy. (Number 8)

This cap is by the same maker as the cap shown in posts number 1 & 2 at the start of this thread. What is nice about this example shown here in post number 27, is that it is bleeched almost "bone-white" by the hot Afrika / Mediterranean sun. And look at the wear on that eagle. A salty dog which has been there for sure. In fact a "trop-sea-salt dog"

[hcliffe]

Nice hats, thanks for sharing!

[PaulW]

Hi, thought I would revive this informative thread by adding my mint unissued "hpc" (Hermann Potthoff of Coesfeld, Westphalia) cap, exhibiting the typical features for earlier "hpc" caps (no stitch lines under the peak, zig-zag machined insignia etc). Later "hpc" caps have the RB number 0/0520/0017.

More pictures here:-

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=918260

The thread refers to the caps as "M40" pattern , although I think they are more commonly referred to as "M41" pattern? Regarding dates of manufacture, I don't even recall any with the date 1941, although of course this may refer to the date of the order for their introduction, and, as in the case of pre-RB number (non dated) "hpc" caps, it's hard to say if they were made in 1941 or 1942?

Some other useful links for this subject:-

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...arine+tropical - "Salty KM tropical M41's from Afrika or Italy" In this thread you can see 2 x "hpc" caps, but in a worn condition.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...arine+tropical - Franz Ritter cap with the typical features (false protruding seam on the scallop etc on exterior, double-stitch line under the peak).

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...arine+tropical

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...arine+tropical - "hpc" unissued cap. 1943 made with the RB number. Note the typical lack of stitch lines under the peak, and the later simplified insignia application.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...arine+tropical - As above.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...arine+tropical - As the two above ("hpc" RB numbered), but a worn veteran pick up.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...arine+tropical - French (Paris) made example.

Some pictures of the caps in wartime pictures:-

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...arine+tropical - A KM award ceremony, possibly in southern France.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...arine+tropical - post #14 &15

http://monsun-uboats.blogspot.co.uk/ - There are a number of links to photo albums from individual U-boats etc with examples of these caps being worn by U-boat crews on this excellent website.

Also, note that in this thread the cap in post #26 is a worn example of a "hpc" (it's identified in another thread), and the cap in post #27 is a worn example of a Franz Ritter cap, as is the cap in posts #1 & 2 (identified by the Franz Ritter RB number 0/0678/5015 - as "90th Light" points out!

Regards, Paul

[Andy C.]

Bravo....