Arty officers cap, good, bad??

[Dave Kane]

Yes, Tony but unfortunately only for now!!! A little wear, age and a bit of denial some 10 to 15 years on and bingo!!!


Just consider the amount of AltesteMutz caps that are in collections today....

[TONY Q.W.]

Very true Dave.

[BenVK]

What's a AltesteMutz cap Dave? Bit like a Janke but made back in the days before I was born?...hehehe...thought I'd rub that one in..

[Dave Kane]

The caps that are referred to today as "ALTESTE" were indeed very early reproductions of incredible quality....Initially, original parts such as liners, outer material and pipings were used eventually giving away to less quality materials.


The plastic diamond in the liner was foiled with:


ALTESTE MUTZEN
BERLIN


etc, etc

This foil wore off often leaving a blank appearing diamond but if turned just right the name could be made out.

The cap shape and dementions were wonderful. Many were made from doeskin but the majority were of the tricot wool.

Anything from Allg. General, to Waffen SS Gen. on down the line to a simple Heer Inf. Officer were available.

[TONY Q.W.]

Thank God for this forum, no more "Alteste"

[Dave Kane]

Tony there's lots out there with many still in high end collections! When the plastic diamond was removed it became darn near impossible for a less than astute collector to determine originality....


Particularly dangerous today because of simple time and the patina it will cause....these caps can be 40 years old.

Unless one knows to look for the cotton lining, cheesecloth filler, painted visor and general look and feel of the tricot...these caps will pass as original.

[TONY Q.W.]

Again, this is very true David. At least here, by discussing each others caps, we have a good idea of what is good and what is not, the rest is up to the buyer. I've noticed that from the most part at least 90% of the cases we all agree at the end of a thread that a cap is either good or bud. In other words, who ever wants to get the "message" gets it.

[SgtB]

There appears to be a new 'generation' of fakes being produced...this being one of them!

I think so too. I've always made it a point to examine any and all
crusher type caps that I could (more bad than good I'm afraid )
and I believe this one is a newer fake. At least it's not just like
any I've seen to date.

[David H]

Thanks for the conformation guys, back to Germany it goes!!!

[AZartman]

I just want to be sure that I interpreted this thread correctly? Are all ALTESTE caps bad? Thanks

Alex

The caps that are referred to today as "ALTESTE" were indeed very early reproductions of incredible quality....Initially, original parts such as liners, outer material and pipings were used eventually giving away to less quality materials.

The plastic diamond in the liner was foiled with:

ALTESTE MUTZEN
BERLIN

etc, etc

This foil wore off often leaving a blank appearing diamond but if turned just right the name could be made out.

The cap shape and dementions were wonderful. Many were made from doeskin but the majority were of the tricot wool.

Anything from Allg. General, to Waffen SS Gen. on down the line to a simple Heer Inf. Officer were available.

[NTZ]

Here are some photos of an Alteste if anyone is interested and yest they are ALL bad.

[NTZ]

Inside

[NTZ]

More

[NTZ]

piping

[NTZ]

Bird