SS side cap: What say ye?

[vonStubben]

Since I have never owned an SS side cap and had the chance today to do a trade with a local fellow I wanted to know what those who own such caps have to say about it.

Thanks,

Chuck

[vonStubben]

side shot

[vonStubben]

Top of cap

[vonStubben]

Lining and maker/size markings

[Felix]

Well, bad start... because insignias are fakes!

Im sorry,
Felix

[vonStubben]

If this is indeed a reproduction I would like a constructive disection of why. I ask this because the person I got this cap from has had it for 20 years himself, acquiring it from a friend who swore it was real, and he is absolutely convinced of it's originality.

I had to accept his story in regard to it as I could not bring it home to study and come to my own conclusion. I must say that he is in no way aware of the facts himself and although he has collected for many years he is not up to speed in the way which we may be. He is a veteran police officer, recently retired, and a man whom I have spoken to on occassion for nearly 20 years myself. It has only been recently that he wanted to get together and do some buying and trading between the two of us.

When I take it back to him I want to be able to present him these pages so that he can clearly understand and see why, and what, makes it bad (if it really is).

Thanks,

Chuck

[Felix]

Im sorry for not explaining. I will post a picture for comparison. Its not my compilation photo and I hope Im excused but its really good as education. Im really sorry for bringing bad news. Some of the fakes has been around for 20-30 years or more.

/Felix

[Bobwirtz]

In addition to the insignia, the manufacturer's stencil and date of 1944 bothers me too. I'm not 100% sure but in 1944 the clothing manufacturers went to the RB Numbering system instead of using their own stencils with their name and place of business. In my opinion, this should have an RBN instead of the manufacturer's name and city. I could be wrong on this but I think I'm on solid ground here. And if it didn't have the RBN, then it should have the size stencil only - nothing else.

Bob

[John Huff]

It was actually much earlier than 1944... I think the RB system was in full swing by 1943

[vonStubben]

Don't forget the SS switched over to a new Einheitsfeldmutze in 1943, which replaced the M-40 version...Hard to tell from the photo's, but it looks like there is no 'false piping' either...JD

The "false piping" was the first thing I noticed once I came home and began my research here on the forum and in my books. I wasn't 100% sure about the insignia as I know there are numerous varients. I was also a bit concerned about the "rayon" lining, although I know that such lining does exist in period caps.

Please keep the information coming. I appreciate it.

Chuck

[Gene]

Poorly defined swastika and spurious maker stamps are completely unconvincing

[willysproject]

Personally I don't like the insignias nor the cap itself... Can't you return it?

Kind regards,
Gerd V

[vonStubben]

Personally I don't like the insignias nor the cap itself... Can't you return it?

Kind regards,
Gerd V

I have no doubt that I can, but since the person is so convinced of the hats originality I want him to be reassured by not only myself that this hat is a known reproduction but that it is known to be throughout the entire collecting community as well and that it is not only me saying so. I also want him to know exactly why it is known to be bad.

Chuck