DAK M40 Cap - opinions please

[pinkmist]

Hi, have been offered this DAK M40, sorry about the limited photos. Is this WW2 1940 issue? And if so what is the makers mark please?
Thanks
Tim

[90th Light]

It is made by "Carl Halfar" and 1940 dated too.

Even based on only those two limited images, it looks to be a good, original, nicely used, faded example

Eagle & Cockade = perfect for this maker.

This is one of the most desirable type of tropical cap that there is. These are worth big, big money. Have a look at this link to see what I mean;

http://www.virtualgrenadier.com/sale_item.php?iid=5114

If you can buy this, I would not be wasting any time in doing so,

Chris

p.s. Given the stitching around the inside of the liner, especially the front. Double check if the soutache has been replaced or not ? Tthat does impact on the value but it is still well worth getting. If the soutache is not replaced then sky = limit

[90th Light]

Looking at this again,

I wonder if the loose threads that I can see around the circumference of the cap are from the removal of an added leather sweatband ? Like in the cap shown in the link of my last post.

The images leave a lot to be desired but that Carl Halfar trop. M40 has every chance of having an original untouched soutache which looks to be in great condition.

Faded, although how much based on the quality of the images is hard to be certain. Does not get any better,

Chris

[barry1954]

Great cap and I would venture to say period attached soutache. Better pictures would tell for certain.

Barry

[90th Light]

Great cap and I would venture to say period attached soutache. Better pictures would tell for certain.

Barry

I thought it was perhaps a sleeper some where in the world Barry,

the sort of thing one dreams of getting for couple of hundred dollars.

Well, turns out it is a sleeper right here in New Zealand. How is that for too close for comfort. But the price a bit more than $200, in fact a lot more than $200.

It would appear that the one on Virtual Grenadier is now pulling more out of the woodwork. You can see 12 clearer images of the one that started this thread here;

https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Lis...?id=1526191514


Nothing wrong with that soutache, 101% original to the cap. In fact the whole cap is superb in every way, right down to the original finish on the grommets. Looks like my theory about a removed leather custom sweatband might hold. And it is indeed nicely faded from real use.

It will be interesting to see if it sells first or the auction site pulls it first for showing the naughty swaz

However, he will have no trouble selling that one, just a case of who will pay the highest price ?????????

Chris

[barry1954]

Thanks for sharing the link Chris it is indeed the same cap and right in your backyard so to speak. Nice to see another Pz Grenadier cap come out of the woodwork and it will be interesting to see how that sale goes.

Barry

[msteve21]

cap

As Chris and Barry have mentioned a spectacular and rare cap, both caps listed for sale IMO are overpriced
Mark S

[90th Light]

As Chris and Barry have mentioned a spectacular and rare cap, both caps listed for sale IMO are overpriced
Mark S

Good point, what is a fair price ?

The examples with Panzer Grenadier soutache are very hard to find,

Chris

[OSS]

Certainly an attractive cap but I am curious to what degree the detached lining would affect the value of the piece.

[Tim O'Keefe]

As Chris and Barry have mentioned a spectacular and rare cap, both caps listed for sale IMO are overpriced
Mark S

Agree+1

Really nice cap(s) but at $14,000us these are double what other soutached early M40's are being offered for. Demonstrated by the number of caps sitting on dealers sites.

Not sure when (if it ever ?) Halfar became the "most desirable" of tropical M40 makers ?
Nice selling point though.

There looks to be dirt and wear to the area of the cap that would be covered up by the sweatband.

It's still a sweet cap

[Mark Gibson]

I've just been looking at the photos and, maybe its just the light, but I'm a little bit suspicious of that soutache. It just doesn't quite look right in those photos to me. The thread used to tack the lining also looks very similar to the thread seen in the close up of the soutache. I'm just naturally suspicious when I see a lining opened up like that. I know that sweat and wear do cause deterioration and have seen linings deteriorated in a number of caps but I would also expect to see more wear on that soutache as well considering the lining.
Hopefully I'm wrong.

I really don't believe that the removal of a sweatband would cause the rest of the factory applied lining thread to be removed.

Mark

[msteve21]

caps

Chris just my thoughs on values, Look at the rare M40 white soutchade Kurtze & Storkmann at Mikes site selling for $7850, its not dated 1940, but possibly a rarer cap by comparison
http://www.virtualgrenadier.com/sale_item.php?iid=4949

Mark S

[90th Light]

Certainly an attractive cap but I am curious to what degree the detached lining would affect the value of the piece.

I would also expect to see more wear on that soutache as well considering the lining.

I really don't believe that the removal of a sweatband would cause the rest of the factory applied lining thread to be removed.

Mark

Very Good points,

I did not look at it hard enough at the lining but you are right, the lining is un-sewn then hand sewn all the way round.

However based on the images, The soutache looks to be the totally correct colour and width for a Carl Halfar PG tropical M40 cap. Not an easy soutache to find at all if someone want to restore one back onto a cap of that year.

Looks like my sweatband theory is shot to bits,

Chris

[90th Light]

Chris just my thoughs on values, Look at the rare M40 white soutchade Kurtze & Storkmann at Mikes site selling for $7850, its not dated 1940, but possibly a rarer cap by comparison
http://www.virtualgrenadier.com/sale_item.php?iid=4949

Mark S

Agree totally,

but the demand for 1940 and 1941 dated caps is higher with 1940 rated highest.

Some collectors will only consider 40 & 41 because they want to be certain of DAK used.

"Afrikakorps" verses "Army Afrika" verses tropical southern front verses Italian front as value points,

Chris

[Tim O'Keefe]

Agree totally,

but the demand for 1940 and 1941 dated caps is higher with 1940 rated highest.

Some collectors will only consider 40 & 41 because they want to be certain of DAK used.

"Afrikakorps" verses "Army Afrika" verses tropical southern front verses Italian front as value points,

Chris

Again agree+1

1940/41 dated caps DAK = Libya/Egypt $$$
1942 dated caps still with soutache 5th Pz Army = Maybe Egypt more likely Tunisia $$
1943 dated caps no soutache The Sud Front $

I too think MarkG's point on the soutauche could be correct with not much wear to the soutache itself when compared to the cap. But why would you open up the whole cap to just add a soutache ?