Originally posted by 90th Light
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Chris, you can often find random letters and numbers stamped on the linings of Lubstein's visor caps. I'm not sure but I think they may be pattern or inventory codes. -
Note the soutache is applied in the exact same manor as Mark's cap currently on the e-stand.
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=896112Comment
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Hello Ben,Originally posted by BenVK View Post
I have also seen "F" stamped in roughly the same place inside a couple of tropical caps. I am told that F could mean "Feldbrauchbar" ... suitable for field use after repair/ alteration.
However, I have not yet been able to solve what "K" means ???
One does not find these capital letters K or F very often in a tropical cap or any cap for that matter. Are there other letters of the alphabet used for this ?
A bit of a mystery at this stage but they seem to be classifications for something done to the cap or a grading of some kind,
ChrisComment
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Note also the typical first model tropical cockade sewn on that Lubstein cap, Mark G is selling. This is the type of cockade we have come to expect. The use of a second model tropical cockade by this maker is unusual,Originally posted by BenVK View Post
ChrisLast edited by 90th Light; 02-17-2017, 03:50 PM.Comment
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I very much doubt it has anything to do with what you've been told Chris.
Why would a visor cap marked an "F" which I have seen before mean Feldbrauchbar? doesn't make any sense at all.
The letters were stamped at the time of manufacture IMO and relate to the fabric batch or cap template code.Comment
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"F" = "Feldbrauchbar" came out of one of their manuals picked up by a soldier during the war. And I have seen a range of similar letters used in Imperial Pickelhaubes and Pork Pie caps for this purpose and other repairs/ alterations.Originally posted by BenVK View Post
However, I am not certain of this which is why I said it "could" be what it means. It is simply the most likely explanation that I have found so far.
You might be correct, it could indeed be the fabric batch or template code which is why I thought I would take the chance to ask the question
Even possibly, nothing more than an inspection code to confirm quality at the time ???
ChrisLast edited by 90th Light; 02-17-2017, 03:35 PM.Comment
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Could not find the letters that I've seen before on eReL linings but this example is typical of the random numbers.Comment
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Interesting Ben,Originally posted by BenVK View Post
I must look inside my visors.
This is what the letters meant during Imperial German times according to Colonel J' research;
"Not only were helmets issued back into the system by the repair facilities with a BIA mark there are other marks used on release that cause confusion. The most common of these is the letter F. The letter is found on many BIA marks as well as BKA marks. it is found both in the capital letter F and the smaller letter f. This was an inspection mark that followed a shorthand wartime garniture system. Because many of the wartime helmets were released from the BIA with repairs this marking is often confused with "repaired". However, they were also inspected and released from the BKA. The letter in small or capital spelling means "felddienstbrauchbar" or field/war serviceable. The lower-level garniture inspection resulted in code "G" meaning "garnisonsdienstbrauchbar" or garrison / home serviceable only. This marking was often used for obsolete helmet types. This mark was far from universally used. As you as you will really This was a wartime expedient. This replaced the garniture system with just two grades – either F or G."
However, I do not know if this still applied during WW2 and he makes no mention of a "K"
It would also be interesting to see how many other Lubstein tropical caps have a "K" or any other letter in them ???
ChrisComment
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Yeah, I've read all the same as you've read, over and over.
To be honest, you do this every time Chris which kind of pisses people off.
Just chill out man, you don't have to find all the answers yourself!Comment
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Originally posted by BenVK View Post
Well if that how you see it Ben then so be it,
I thought we were simply exchanging information on a discussion forum about the possibilities of what the "K" stamped in this Lubstein could mean.
Please accept my apologies if my thirst for knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject "pisses" you or anyone else off.
All I can say in my own defense, it becomes a very sad, empty forum indeed when people do not post, no longer post or refuse share what they know or have discovered along the way.
However, you are right and there is a lot of other things I should do with my time than waste it here,
ChrisComment
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A very nice signals cap (Citronengelb).Comment
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One look original
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M40
Certainly gets my stamp of approval
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No Chris, the use of 2nd model cockades on 1941 dated Robert Lubstein caps is quite common. The use of a 1st model cockade on a 1941 dated cap is unusual and an indication of a very early 1941 manufactured cap.Originally posted by 90th Light View Post
The cap that started this thread is an untouched original example and a very nice lightly used piece. All insignia is 100% untouched. The eagle on the one sold by Virtual Grenadier was not factory applied and definitely a post war application by someone without knowledge of this manufacturers techniques.
Regards,
MarkComment
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Thanks Mark,Originally posted by Mark Gibson View Post
I appreciate your experience about the second model tropical cockade on a 1941 Lubstein cap and know you have handled a few of these. This point was discussed here in NZ when the example sold by Virtual Grenadier arrived for a hands on inspection. The cap was sent here a good while after Mike sold it by another owner. Some felt that the cockade like the eagle was replaced because Lubstein rarely ever used the second model tropical cockade on their caps.
The eagle on the cap which started this thread and the eagle on the Virtual Grenadier cap look to possibly be made by the same bevo maker. However the eagle on the cap sold by Virtual grenadier could be a later, bluer, synthetic thread type and as you say incorrectly hand sewn on.
I respect your judgement about this,
ChrisLast edited by 90th Light; 02-18-2017, 06:53 AM.Comment
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