It looks like the GI had room in his assault pack for a edelweiss, but not for the whole cap. Interesting he didn't cut the eagle off as well. I bet this cap could tell a story...
s/f Robert
s/f Robert
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Whoops... -
What a shame.
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It's a shame but it has history!Comment
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'weiss nicht
On the other hand the German soldier might have kept the most significant part of his cap for him for a souvenir that would remain "PC"...Comment
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German soldier would have taken all insignia off and used the cap.Comment
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Agree +1 an Allied solder would have taken the eagle as well. Very likely the original owner keeping the patch that meant the most to himOriginally posted by pauke View Post
I like this cap and think it has real character.Comment
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Might have looked similar to my "Minna" M43.Comment
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Ben, that's a very personalized cap, and thanks for posting.
For me, the edelweiss was likely removed by a GI, not a sentimental GJer. Whoever took it off had a knife, and cutting the threads on the few contact points to removed the device would have been easier than hacking up the side of the cap.
Additionally, a soldier would likely be reluctant to cut up a uniform item he was issued - carefully remove insignia, maybe. How many scrap mounted insignia have you seen coming from Germans? But GI's boxes are full of them. And if a prisoner, most of the POWs kept their headgear and the only denazifying would be from the front.
I've probably put too much thought into this already, since we'll never know. I guess the speculation could go on and on - thanks for getting me thinking about some of the possibilities, fellas.
s/f RobertComment
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No not really, and those were some good points, I just think that he wanted some more backing on it that is, like you see these beautiful T-Form insignias that were cut from the front of M43s!!
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Moderators, please let me know if this is a foul, but I have decided to put an edelweiss back on this cap to cover the gaping hole and improve it's appearance.
I need a small piece of faded wool to back the edelweiss - there's nothing to stitch the insignia to. I think headgear and uniform collectors know what I'm talking about; it is the sun-faded green wool that looks almost yellow-green next to unissued pieces.
It's a shot in the dark, but lots of us have trashed bits and pieces and I'm hoping to get lucky and promise to post the project. I just don't have anything here that comes close - I appreciate the help.
s/f RobertComment
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It has history and character as it was. Adding new fabric and Edelweiss imo only would ruin the nice appearance and character of the cap.Comment
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Thanks, but I'm not looking for opinions on what I should do with the cap. I'm looking for a material swatch, if you have one.
s/f RobertComment
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