Salty Kavallerie Feldmuetze

[90th Light]

The crown and "P" in the imperial hat are similar to the cypher of the Oldenburg Inf. Regt. 91 cypher for what it's worth. But with the slight differences and the Wuerttemberg cockade it doesn't make sense.

The crowned "P" is the identifying personal initial of an important family seal. It means that he is the member of an aristocratic household and possibly heir apparent to a tile or holder of the title. He could also be a member/ heir in a duke's, prince's or royal household. Often seen in top quality Wurtemburg Pickelhaubes, hats & other uniform items,

Chris

[Phil Beekmeijer]

Did the cap that begins this thread start off as a legit crusher or was it originally a service dress that was purposely 'deconstructed' and then 'rebuilt' as a crusher to suit the owner? Any ideas on that?

Robt.

That cap has been a crusher all its life. The best proof is the wrinkled velvet band. This because of the backing material of a transparent kind of gauze. This was only used at crusher caps. Furthermore the leather bill of course, but this could be added later. I only think that the crusher is a signals cap instead of cavalry.

[RGD51]

My query was based on a number of things. There have been no revealing, behind the sweatband, looks to see what is there but there is a huge gap in the back seam that is in shambles--inside and out, as if the cap changed size and an alteration was necessary (?) The overall shape of the cap looks almost sattleform and not like an Alter Art so I wondered about this cap having had its cap band removed in order to fascillitate it becoming a "crusher" style....it would account for the wrinkled wool band. That, the amateur thick thread visor reattachment, and the rather peculiar damask or textured silk lining are, at face value, a departure from what we generally accept as original "Alter Art" or Officers Old Style field cap.

There are countless threads where caps are declared "Frankensteins" yet this cap sails by with nary a question....because its salty. I understand it being a feasible cap but think its worthy of some elaboration, that's all. Is there a counterpart that verifie's this style cap, posted anywhere, or is it simply a one of a kind?

Robt.

[BenVK]

The salty cap that I posted is not a Feldmuetze Alter Art or "crusher" if you want to call them that.

It has a card pasteboard, some padding around the top cover and a pointy peak/crown. It was made with a leather visor and "the amateur thick thread visor reattachment" is a period repair, likewise the rear of the sweatband which has broken, the loose part was folded over and stitched together.
The unusual lining material is NOT an addition, the cap was made this way by the muetzenmacher.

For those who have never seen a Schirmmutze style service or field cap with a leather visor before, I would suggest you browse the forum some more and also look at period photos. This style of cap is well known and not unique in any way.

Thanks for the additional info on the cypher, very interesting.

[RGD51]

Thanks Ben! It is easy to see how this cap may be misconstrued as it creates an unusual amalgam between an Alter Art and Schirmmutze. Appreciate the clarification.

Robt.

[BenVK]

Here's one that I used to own. A typical eReL Private but with a leather visor.
It was made this way and never altered.