Panzer side cap

[Alex Ciavaglia]

Hi friends,
i have in my hands this panzer side cap in brand new conditions. It cames without Soutache (never applied), 'M. Mertes, 1941' marked, with no painted zinc rivets. What do you think about it?

[Alex Ciavaglia]

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[Alex Ciavaglia]

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[Alex Ciavaglia]

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[Alex Ciavaglia]

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[Alex Ciavaglia]

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[Alex Ciavaglia]

I have find a nice reference in my archive. Here another 'M. Mertes' marked example (field grey version).

[Alex Ciavaglia]

no one?

[RoyalDragon]

Hello
For me a original side cap .

[Luca Ongaro]

Yes it is, nice cap Alex

[drempfer]

Beautiful original cap!

[Alex Ciavaglia]

Hi friends,
thanks a lot for your answers; just for curiousity, did you ever seen another side cap made by this producer? It's the 1st time i see something made by M. Mertes, do you know it?

[derka]

For me, a 1941 dated Heer sidecap without any signs of soutache appliation is VERY odd, so i would scrutinize carefully if it is realy the case without removal (for instance behind the flap, where the 2 points where soutache normaly go throught).
The grommet's split is not "clean" comparing to the other feldgrau sidecap shown from the same maker, and stamp's font seems not exactly the same, neither lining material used.
Is there a sweatband inside ?
The thread of the eagle looks white, not gray ? ie an early pattern normaly not used anymore in a 1941 production.
But maybe i'm just paranoiac...
derka

[Alex Ciavaglia]

For me, a 1941 dated Heer sidecap without any signs of soutache appliation is VERY odd, so i would scrutinize carefully if it is realy the case without removal (for instance behind the flap, where the 2 points where soutache normaly go throught).
The grommet's split is not "clean" comparing to the other feldgrau sidecap shown from the same maker, and stamp's font seems not exactly the same, neither lining material used.
Is there a sweatband inside ?
The thread of the eagle looks white, not gray ? ie an early pattern normaly not used anymore in a 1941 production.
But maybe i'm just paranoiac...
derka

Hi Derka,
it's what i though. Do you have any pics of other side cap manufactured by the same producer?

[derka]

Unfortunatly no.