W-SS NCO "Crusher" Question

[EdwardB]

I purchased a Waffen SS nco "crusher" cap several years ago, and the following is the information the dealer provided to me prior to the purchase:

"Waffen SS NCO "Old Style" Field cap - 'Crusher.'
A textbook example of a Waffen SS NCO Old Style Field cap or Crusher cap. The Cap is a purpose made example of the above in superb condition. Field Grey wool body with black wool cap band. The cap has a flexible leather visor. Inside there is no maker mark or celloid diamond as to be expected on a crusher cap. There has never been provision for chinstrap buttons. The insignia is the bevo skull and eagle, again textbook for this style of cap. Cloth/bevo insignia was never applied to regular NCO caps - only metal insignia. This insignia is period attached to the cap at the time of making. There are many period photos showing this exact style of cap in wear . The cap is of a pre 1945 vintage - probably pre 1940 as this style of cap was discontinued according to the available evidence around this time."

Any thoughts concerning the accuracy of this information? I don't have the capability to take pictures of the cap at this time, but I do have pictures that the dealer provided to me, and if I can find a way to post those, I'll do so as soon as possible. Thanks for your input.

[Robin Lumsden]

Sounds plausible, but pix are needed.

[SJP]

[quote=EdwardB;1589471]I purchased a Waffen SS nco "crusher" cap several years ago, and the following is the information the dealer provided to me prior to the purchase:

"Waffen SS NCO "Old Style" Field cap - 'Crusher.'. The cap is of a pre 1945 vintage - probably pre 1940 as this style of cap was discontinued according to the available evidence around this time."

Erroneous,Bevo insignia wasn't introduced until sometime in 1940 making your piece post 1940. Cheers Steve

[Bobwirtz]

Addtionally, the "Old Style Service Cap" was not the "Crusher"... it was the cap with the cloth bill or visor. Sounds like he doesn't know his product. Bad news when you're trying to sell something.

Bob

[phild]

The term old style field cap and crusher are generally taken to mean the same thing. Crusher is a collector made up slang term and like most other such terms in this hobby as come to mean everything and nothing at the same time.

As to the question about the dealers description I would say that it mostly makes sense. I think that he is trying to satisfy any question that the cap being offered has any possibility of being a converted NCO peak cap, either converted during the period are post war to enhance value. Based on the description I would say that it is not a converted NCO peak cap, however you need to make sure that it is not a post 45 made "crusher", i.e. complete fake.

I think that the original use of bevo insignia would tend to date it as post 1939, but I can not verify that bevo cap insignia was not made before 1940. Most photos of SS crusher type caps show metal insignia being worn at least in part, this is my observation. I would say that the all bevo insignia is a plus if originally worn on the cap.

I believe that these type cap were made after 1940 as private purchase items and were made in both officer and NCO versions, the main difference being the material of the black band. Officers also often wore the standard NCO versions and photos bear this out when you can find good clear close ups that show the band.

Many of these crushers had officer cords addded by the wearer. My above comments are targeted only toward the leather visor visor versions of this style field cap.

[EdwardB]

Thank you all very much for your replys. As soon as I'm able to post pictures, I will. The dealer gave me a life time gurantee, and while he offered it in verbal form, I think he would honor it. So if I find out the hat is fake, though I'd be disapointed, at least I wouldn't be out any money.

By the way, I left out two details regarding the interior: the lining is a slightly shiny grey material (rayon?) and the sweat band is a light tan-colored and thin leather.