WSS Crusher Old Style

[sturmbannfuhrer]

BenVK - Please understand. I am not saying that if a cap doesn't have a bottom edge that tilts upward toward the rear, that it's not authentic. This is merely a characteristic that occurs when a cap has sat on a shelf for many years. MANY authentic caps have this appearance. It is an effect that is NEVER duplicated by the fakers, because it would very difficult. I am pointing it out merely as a good sign. The weight of a visor cap in minimal, so it would take a long time to occur. OF COURSE, if the cap was stored in a different position most of it's life, it may not occur at all.

These are good points. One thing a good headform can do is protect a cap from getting any worse.

Here is a pic of a super Hoffman Cavalry with similar storage bends that sgstandard and Ben have been discussing.

[sturmbannfuhrer]

When put on a headform such as this one, the cap shape starts to be able to retrain itself and the visor is kept off the deck.

[sturmbannfuhrer]

It won't rid the cap of the bend traits, but it sure stops it getting any worse. I like a cap to exhibit real age and one of these traits is quite often a little misforming.

Great thread guys and more knowledge is filtering through.

[billbert]

So ME thinks that what we have here is a bought BRAND NEW I ll wear it next time I get back on leave (I got Killed) original paul kaps artillery or assault gun WAFFEN SS crusher cap that someone stored nicely but not too well from the house hold clothing elements for 66 years give or take...Most likely the wife or the sister kept till they passed and out it comes from the kiddies and here it is... I am curious as to what 1 would price this at in 2008 ?? JMHO Billbert
and as in all good threads a little heated discussion..some better spoken than others and a learning experience for all!! THANKS for posting this wonderful cap!!!

[Texasuberalles]

I'm not sure what this adds to this thread but here is a period pic of a crusher in wear I ran across on another forum that seems to have the distinctly 'more vertical' set to it.

It looks as if it may not be piped in white either.

[Vet44]

Thanks you for your coments.
It is a controversial discussion arose high as it should be. In my opinion one of the most teaching surveys on the authenticity of a cap which many would like to have but because of the many repros not trust a cap of this kind to buy. i hope we learn more about the many variants - materials forms-official and unofficial possibilities of this so rare cap of WSS.

Thank all who are on this difficult topic professionally involved ...

[sgstandard]

SS Crusher Cap

Well, it's apparently a general consensus that this cap is authentic. One last test that doesn't PROVE anything, but helps the peace of mind, is to smell the inside. Even an unissued cap should smell somewhat musty if it's that old.

[BenVK]

It's a mistake to collect by "general consensus". Study your chosen area and decide what to buy based on your own knowledge, nobody else's. Plus, any cloth item can smell old, just stick it in the right environment, like my Grandmothers house for a few years and I guarantee you, a brand new T-shirt will smell like it was made during the 40's. An old smell is no guarantee of age, be careful.

[sgstandard]

Cap

I will clarify. The presence of a musty smell proves nothing. The ABSENCE of such a smell on an old wool cap would be seem to be odd.

[sgstandard]

General consensus

If it was a mistake to collect by general consensus, why do so many collectors, even those with experience, post items on the forum for opinions? While you shouldn't believe everything you read on here, the consensus of arguably the world's most knowledgable experts is invaluable to experienced collector and novice alike. Of course, if your own experience dictates going against a consensus, then that works too.

[BenVK]

Of course, if your own experience dictates going against a consensus, then that works too.

What I was trying to say but a lot more eloquently put.

[NTZ]

I will clarify. The presence of a musty smell proves nothing. The ABSENCE of such a smell on an old wool cap would be seem to be odd.

Not so from my experience. I do agree that “most” items with have that smell but not all. I just picked up an unissued Erel a month or two ago. It has not one sign of any odor. In fact it almost still has that new car, oops, visor smell. It all depends on how the item was stored.

[sgstandard]

Smell

Uh-oh........I just realized I haven't changed my clothes for a while. And all along I thought it was my SS cap. My bad. Oh well, it was just a theory

[phild]

If it was a mistake to collect by general consensus, why do so many collectors, even those with experience, post items on the forum for opinions? While you shouldn't believe everything you read on here, the consensus of arguably the world's most knowledgable experts is invaluable to experienced collector and novice alike. Of course, if your own experience dictates going against a consensus, then that works too.

I like your last statement the best. The value of having a consensous is relative to the experince, understanding of the issue at hand and judgement abilities of those putting forth an opinion.

Essentially an opinion without "why" in this business is,IMO, worthless...end of story. Even then the "why" has to stand up on it's merits and not upon who is offering it.

[Richard P]

Essentially an opinion without "why" in this business is,IMO, worthless...end of story. Even then the "why" has to stand up on it's merits and not upon who is offering it.

Phil,

I like YOUR last statement the best. I can't tell you how many times the experts on various threads have voiced an "IN MY HONEST OPINION" when they are actually anything but honest. If they were honest they would admit they are biased against the person posting for whatever reason, and qualify their opinion with photos, and/or explanations not based on memories of photos seen in the past on bad dealer sites alone, but backed up with facts.

I'm not talking about the guys who offer lengthy explanations and discuss the item with many postings and try to make their case. I'm talking about the guys who drop in with a five word sentence damning the item and then disappear when pressed for an explanation.

In the SS forum on the Panzer Beret Skull (and eagle) topic plenty drop in to say good...or bad, and then disappear after I present enlarged photos and ask for an opinion from these same collectors based on photographic evidence they can study for hours if necessary. I pressed repeatedly for an educated opinion based on the photos and written observations presented....but they all just shuffle off to let the thread die.

Richard P.