And How About This Dream.......m43 Ss Pz Cap At E-stand

[Bob Hritz]

I would love to be able to help but I have vary little expertise in M-43 caps. I only have one Dachau panzerand one enlisted in feldgrau. I have not the experience to determine authenticity of this type of headgear.

Bob Hritz

[TonyS]

Paul needs to post better close-up photos.

[B. N. Singer]

[QUOTE=90th Light]Could we please bring the thread back to SS Panzer M43 caps and could I please ask Mr Singer, Gary Wood or Bob Hritz for an opinion about Paul.l,k's cap

Chris,

I am always happy to offer my OPINION to anyone, especially when they are considering buying something and are concerned (as we all are) in making a mistake.

However, I am sure that one could understand a hesitance on my part to contribute further to this thread after having been berated, (again I might add), for giving an opinion without substantiation.

If you would really like my OPINION (for whatever it is worth) on this or any other item (assuming that I might have some small amount of knowledge about it) it is my pleasure to do so. Just as long as it is understood that there is a great likelihood that details as to what I have based my OPINION on will NOT necessarily be forthcoming. Sorry, but that is just the way this "jerk" operates! So if "we" can agree on that, fine, I don't mind giving my OPINION. Otherwise, I do not wish to further irritate some of the other forum members, who have taken exception on this thread to the way I make my postings.

B. N. Singer

[90th Light]

Thank you, to Bob, Tony and Mr Singer. The points you have made are all valid and I appreciate the response. I am sure Paul.l.k will be following all this and it will now be his decision if he wants to add more detailed pictures here or even start a new thread.

To Mr Singer in particular, if you feel offence at any-thing I have said or the way I have said it then I apologise. My comment was of a generic nature and not aimed at you specifically. I have edited and ammended that posting.

I must point out however that I work in an academic environment.
All knowledge is open to question and it does not matter who says it or why. Every-thing is open to interpretation and further reasoning. No-body has the right to command respect, you earn respect based on what you read, what you see, what you eat, who you associate with and how you act .

At the end of the day, I am left no wiser as to how tell a good SS Panzer M43 from a bad one
Instead I am left even more cautious than I was before. I feel sorry for any-one trying to build up a specialised collection of SS hats. You would need to be very wary of what you pay and in-fact might be best to leave all of them alone. If we do not document how we can tell good from bad then in 10 to 20 years time no-one will be able to tell. Who will then buy your hats / caps in the future at todays real prices ? Those who carefully guard the knowledge may be denying the fakers much less than they think but they may in fact cause the market for these caps to fall as honest buyers are scared off and find other areas of certainity.

Once again it has been an interesting thread. I do not agree with every-ones opinions but I do respect every-one for taking the time to share them.

This is what a forum and a debate is all about, Chris

[Bob Coleman]

We have been discussing what is in reality a very rare piece of military headgear. I find it of interest after many years, suddenly, several identical hats pop up on the market place-all in similar condition. SS officer's field caps are also very rare. However, there is now a plethera of very well made Italian gabardine hats available on various internet web sites. I also note the lack of Dachau trapazoids on todays markets that were readily available a few years past. We must understand that a Forum such as this is not always the appropriate place to discuss the minute details where the fakers have errored. I have no doubt that they have been following this thread hoping to learn for their next generation. I guess the best place is to meet those whose opinion you trust at a large military show and discuss these questions in person.. A serious collector will take the time and make the effort to do so. Unfortunately, it is the world we live in today.
Bob

[John Pic]

I thought about buying one of those italian gabardine hats myself,but as you say Bob it seems like there are quite a few out there and they keep showing up. I havent seen a single wool officers cap show up in I dont know how long. I have decided not to spend my money on one of those for italian ones that reason. After reading this and the thread that was linked to this one, I would only buy an M43 from a very very reliable source.
I dont disagree with the assesments but I do not entirely agree with the unwillingness to share knowledge even in private emails.But that is my own opinion.Because I dont see what is wrong and would like to know myself.

[Bob Coleman]

John-
I would guess that some of the learned contributors to this thread would be reluctant to send information by private email to an individual they do not personally know and they would not know where their observations would finally land. In my case, I have expressed my reasons for doubting this piece and likely have little more to add.
Best regards,
Bob

[B. N. Singer]

[QUOTE=90th Light]To Mr Singer in particular, if you feel offence at any-thing I have said....

Chris,

You certainly need not apologize to me. I am not easily offended, and you have said nothing that I have taken offense to. I have only once found cause to take offense here on the WA forum, and that was from a member, on a different thread, who unfortunately is also from your wonderful country of New Zealand.

B. N. Singer

[sunny59]

Gentlemans,
I think we all have a hell of a lesson and experience with this thread. I am sure it will be very well refered in many discussions here in WAF. And by this, we can have an idea what may be waiting to all of us in the furute for determining true from false.

We must be very carefull on what we said on what we see.

Best