In 40 years of collecting, I have yet to run across what I considered to be a 100% original Kriegsmarine Chaplain visor. However, I have examined countless fakes, which run the gamut from ground-up repros to rebadged BRD visors to period KM Admin visors with their wreaths swapped out.
The latter is the most dangerous, and the easiest for a faker--all he has to do is carefully remove the standard KM Admin wreath and replace it with an authentic example matching the eagle in finish, quality of embroidery, and wear (which can almost never be done).
However, there is one saving grace regarding the swapped-out period Admin visor--KM Chaplain insignia is extremely rare to find loose, and they rarely come onto the market.
As such, the fakers have to utilize fake insignia.
I have never been a fan of what I call the "squished cross" insignia (which resembles the red cross in shape--each arm being equal.)
(However, some like these, and consider them real, but I have yet to see one in a period photo).
This is what I am talking about:
The latter is the most dangerous, and the easiest for a faker--all he has to do is carefully remove the standard KM Admin wreath and replace it with an authentic example matching the eagle in finish, quality of embroidery, and wear (which can almost never be done).
However, there is one saving grace regarding the swapped-out period Admin visor--KM Chaplain insignia is extremely rare to find loose, and they rarely come onto the market.
As such, the fakers have to utilize fake insignia.
I have never been a fan of what I call the "squished cross" insignia (which resembles the red cross in shape--each arm being equal.)
(However, some like these, and consider them real, but I have yet to see one in a period photo).
This is what I am talking about:
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