Help from Gebirgs experts

[Paul Walmsley]

Did a cloth GJ bergmutze Heer eidelwiess badge exist?
Is this photo really a metal badge on a dark green backing cloth?

[billbert]

No i dont think you will find any enlisted cloth edelweiss s made for the cap like the ss had..You will on occassion find tailored edelweiss in bullion work for custom caps..The foto is a metal edelweiss on bottle green clothg backing..just like dark green collars cuffs on parade tunics etc..I understand this to be often favored with the mountain troops of austrian army origins...Billbert

[GJR100]

Hi,

Billbert is correct. There was no issue cloth Edelweiss. I have a cloth Off. Edelweiss, but I'm not quite sure if it's genuine.

The Gebirgsjäger that I spoke about the dark green backing told me it was up to the inividual. Some pictures tend to apply to this rule, showing Mützen with and without this backing in the same shot.

Hope this helps,
Bart

[BergführerKiser]

Grüß Gott Paul,

I agree with both Bart and Billbert.

[billbert]

I did see a bergmutze some years back that had a trimmed bevo army sleeve edelweiss on it that looked like it had been there a long time..Billbert

[Simon O.]

I had heard a rumour that the dark green backing was used by or popular amongst many Austrians.

What do you guys think?

[BergführerKiser]

Servus Bergkameraden,

I've also heard that rumor...also that it was originally done by the 1. Geb.Div., but photos show it being done by Gebirgsjäger from all units. IMHO, I think it was more for "smartness" to show off the Edelweiß. Much like this photo of a GJ NCO who has both his cap Edelweiß and his NARVIK shield backed with dark green badge cloth.

[billbert]

Simon..you didnt hear that rumor about 5 posts back ,did you?? Billbert

[Simon O.]

No, a few years ago actually.


Great photo Patrick! oh, to have that guy's award docs....