I put what is quoted below on a thread started by Bob Hritz about a police M43 cap. Bob was asking a question about the maker mark of the firm "Willy Sprengfeil".
To date, many collectors seem to strictly accept one version of font and one only. Having discovered clear evidence that other german cap makers of WW2, used more than one version of their stamp. I embarked on a study of Willy Sprengfeil stamps in original field caps made before May 1945 and thought I would share some of my findings,
Chris
To date, many collectors seem to strictly accept one version of font and one only. Having discovered clear evidence that other german cap makers of WW2, used more than one version of their stamp. I embarked on a study of Willy Sprengfeil stamps in original field caps made before May 1945 and thought I would share some of my findings,
Chris
Originally posted by 90th Light
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The question remains however, did Willly Sprengfeil use only one version or font of stamp throughout the entire war 
Other manufactures such as Carl Halfar did not so why Sprengfeil ? Halfar's have small differences in stamps for the years 1940, 41, 42 & 43. They also applied slightly different styles to different types of caps. For example, a tropical M40 verses an Org. Todt M43
When one encounters the Panzer black version of a sidecap made by Willy Sprengfeil, it always has a slightly different but consistent version of the stamp.
One of the factors which I feel is misunderstood by collectors today, is the use of sub-contractors by big brand cap makers in Germany at this time. There is clear evidence that to meet some large orders. Some of the work or component parts were sub-contracted out to meet the the dead-line. Just recently, this was discussed concerning the differences in the placement of a soutache on two Carl Halfar tropical M40's. These two caps were 101% correct in every way but just a bit different from each other in regard to how the soutache was attached at the bottom of the cap. The answer, use of sub-contractors or cottage industry components.
One more thing which needs to be considered when looking at a Sprengfeil cap. In 1939 Willy Sprengpfeil was in financial difficulty. They entered into a cooperative partnership with Gloy and and began licencing some of their production to reduce their fixed operations. This could also be a reason that just not one stamp was used. In this regard there is some sort of joint venture with "Opolka & Muller" and other manufacturers in Hamburg,
Chris
Other manufactures such as Carl Halfar did not so why Sprengfeil ? Halfar's have small differences in stamps for the years 1940, 41, 42 & 43. They also applied slightly different styles to different types of caps. For example, a tropical M40 verses an Org. Todt M43
When one encounters the Panzer black version of a sidecap made by Willy Sprengfeil, it always has a slightly different but consistent version of the stamp.
One of the factors which I feel is misunderstood by collectors today, is the use of sub-contractors by big brand cap makers in Germany at this time. There is clear evidence that to meet some large orders. Some of the work or component parts were sub-contracted out to meet the the dead-line. Just recently, this was discussed concerning the differences in the placement of a soutache on two Carl Halfar tropical M40's. These two caps were 101% correct in every way but just a bit different from each other in regard to how the soutache was attached at the bottom of the cap. The answer, use of sub-contractors or cottage industry components.
One more thing which needs to be considered when looking at a Sprengfeil cap. In 1939 Willy Sprengpfeil was in financial difficulty. They entered into a cooperative partnership with Gloy and and began licencing some of their production to reduce their fixed operations. This could also be a reason that just not one stamp was used. In this regard there is some sort of joint venture with "Opolka & Muller" and other manufacturers in Hamburg,
Chris
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