Virtual Grenadier: RSH4 Luft Goring Div. visor

[Paris Gun]

Gents:

Let me say I am a HUGE FAN & REPEAT CUSTOMER of Mr. Davis, but Item RSH4 Luft Goring Division EM/NCO Visor gives me pause for concern; frankly, IMHO I believe the visor is a Janke Repro.
1) The green underside of the visor appears to be stippled, and at a minimum, not one of the accepted styles one would expect; &
2) The front view of the visor and the hat's shape 'scream' JANKE REPRO to me, as Janke's visors don't have the streamlined and complimentary shape of a 'wartime Luft visor'; instead, Janke's hats have a lower crown/peak that almost seem to magnify the overly large/broad visors found on every Luft visor he has made since he ran out of wartime original visors.

I am even troubled by the interior aging, BUT I figured such was not definitive to question the authenticity of the particular item given the afore-numbered reasons.

AGAIN, Mike is a fine gentleman who folks should buy without hesitation 99.9% of the time; however, I am VERY CONFIDENT in my ability to spot a particular Repro manufacturer, and I truly believe my above assessment is correct.

Accordingly, does anyone else share my opinion? If "NO", what are your reasons for disagreement?

Thanks and God bless to you/ yours AND Mr. Mike Davis!!!

Here's the link (if I have done it correctly):

http://www.virtualgrenadier.com/sale_item.php?iid=3994

[Mike Davis]

Thanks for the kind words and I will look forward to receiving other opinions

[solo]

Me too, I dont like it expecially some pleats in the sweatband and underside of the bill,linig is not correct ,in my humble opinion is similar a Janke hats
Carlo

[Gene]

Mike, I agree with Paris Gun

[billbert]

It AM ON THE FENCE WITH THIS ON MIKE..25 years or so a batch of blue linered HG caps POPPED UP..they were unissued in condition with a maker markers sweat diamond...the fact that this one is now missing doesn't help its case..the Visor backing also looks a lil non standard...Do I know for sure this is one of those..NOPE...YOU have it In hand..I would just give it a 2nd and 3rd look to be SURE as you can be...
HIGH REGARDS to YOU and VG..
Billbert

[Paris Gun]

AND FOR THE RECORD, I emailed Mr. Davis earlier today in an attempt to explore the possibility of buying a Luft tan utility strap and a matching pair of Luft gull-wing sleeve rank badges; therefore, I meant what I said that I almost NEVER hesitate in buying from him, as he is a genuine "straight-shooter"!!!

In fact, my initial curiosity about the visor was merely to compare it and the asking price to my Lubstein 'Gen. Goring' EM/NCO visor with 1st pattern insignia AND an oilcloth bound "crushable" leather visor. 😎 Only upon close examination afterwards did I notice the perceived issues.

SORRY MY FRIEND (but do keep an eye out for my email)!

Respectfully,

Wm Meeks, Esq.
Texas

[wayne gosley]

Hi Mike
I am of the opinion is had a Franz Richter on the label hence it's removed.
It has the characteristics of the ones from the 90s. Which are deemed repro, unless I am mistaken
Kind regards
Wayne

[billbert]

That is the maker I was referring to..It is they same cap with the maker label now removed...Frank Richter Dresden A1...thanks Billbert

[stonemint]

Mike, I would have to agree with the others.
It is either a Franz Richter or a Berlolina repro with the logo removed.
Here is a Richter:

[enorepap]

I think this is of interest on the visor we are discussing about.

This is a fake Richter logo on a wasserdicht lining in a fake SS khepi (post 163 courtesy of Chris):

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...206193&page=11

and this is a LW HG fake visor (post 190 – not post 189 because I see a stirndruckfrei system - described by Chris: This is one of those 70's Brit fakes with the pebble-finished underside):

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...206193&page=13

Undoubtedly, in my opinion, if they are not twins they are brothers at least.

A footnote: a real Franz Richter & Sons company was certainly in existence because they published a sales catalogue of their civilian, sports and military headgears. It is sure that a Franz Richter was in business in Zschopau (a little town not far from Dresden and Chemnitz) and they produced clothes, badges, etc., with the M5/95 and E. Erfurt. Dresden A1 (E41) codes.

Best regards

[enorepap]

Hallo Chris

We posted simultaneously.

It is exactly it.

[Mike Davis]

Thanks for the comments all. I am traveling at the moment but will examine the hat again when back in the bunker and report further.

[Mike Davis]

Greetings all, I am finally back in the bunker tonight and pulled the cap for additional examination.

I compared it to the photos posted by Stonemint, especially the second one. The similarities are pretty evident - same pebbled texture to the visor's underside, same location of seam at cap's lower edge, same rivet on the sweatband. So, if one is a copy so too is the other.

Anyway, apologies for the error. I did not suspect it due the cap's high quality, shape, use of original insignia and chin cord, the wool used, the soiling and minor insect damage, etc. - live and learn! Thanks to all who commented and in future don't be shy about commenting me directly if you see something amiss.