Interesting afrikamützen

[mike donne]

Hi
I'd like your view on a couple of tropical caps in period photos. The first shows a cap with a soutache cut into the brow rather than folded over and with officers' piping. My question is, were there officers' caps with cut in soutaches, and if so by what makers? Or is this an upgrade. Yes, I've seen the one illustrated in Kurtz (where no maker is given); but that's all.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...48177986be.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...e75b615806.jpg

The second shows a group from — apparently — the 15th Panzer Division. The hat I'm interested in is that worn by the soldier on the far left. As you see, the peak and the body of the cap are faded quite differently. I appreciate that this is sometimes seen on standard caps, but is that was this is? It looks a bit odd too me. Maybe its a very small size. Or is it perhaps a field made cap? Any views
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...d1b4840895.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...d473fcf371.jpg

That's it. Thanks
Mike

[OSS]

The cap worn by the officer (reading a letter) appears to be an enlisted cap which has been upgraded by the addition of officer's piping. As for the soldier whose cap has a bill which is a different shade than the cap body; one occasionally sees this where material from separate dye lots fade at different rates.

[NZMark]

The cap worn by the officer (reading a letter) appears to be an enlisted cap which has been upgraded by the addition of officer's piping. As for the soldier whose cap has a bill which is a different shade than the cap body; one occasionally sees this where material from separate dye lots fade at different rates.

Agree - Up-graded EM's m40. The cord is thinner in appearance than factory cord as well - a lovely cap. I've attached my later example for comparison.
And yes, due to the use of scraps for efficiency in manufacture of caps, various shades might be found on a cap and will all fade/weather at varying rates as well. A quick search on the net will see you find originals in collections with this interesting feature.
Regards,
Mark
NZ

[Tim O'Keefe]

Hi Mike, agree with OSS & Mark

First is an upgraded M40, can tell by the small cord. Very likely wanted to have the correct soutache color. Also like the folded look on his M40.

Next is just a cap with different fabric used on the body & visor, one of which faded much faster than the other.

Nice photos, but Mike you need to become an Association member and post your stuff otherwise these threads will be useless once the images are removed.