W-SS M43 cap - opinions

[prorege1]

Would appreciate some opinions on this cap, the inside manufacturer stamp is from Italy and I have no previous experince with caps from this area.

[prorege1]

Stamp

[prorege1]

Eagle

[Felix]

Well, the insignias looks nice and original. The eagle seems to be neatly applied as well. About the cap Im sure you will recieve help soon!

Cheers,
"Felix" - N. Hansson

[Glenn McInnes]

I have heard some say that these hats are original ww2, manufactured in Italy during the war.

I have also heard some say they are post war manufacture using war time stocks of left over bolts of original wool and lining materials.

I have yet to see a Heer version.


I personally will stick to the textbook German manufactured M43 hats but that is just me.



Glenn

[prorege1]

Thank you for your help. Any other opinions, perhaps from Italian members?

[Panzergrenadiere71]

Hi,I had an identical cap .These caps were manufactured during the R.S.I. period but there is a debate here in Italy about the originality of them because there are not much info about this production and the factory.Some people like them,others not so it's your own choice to buy it or not.I passed on mine some time ago.Here is the link where mine was discussed.

Cheers
Emilio
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=145691

[90th Light]

I have heard some say that these hats are original ww2, manufactured in Italy during the war.

I have also heard some say they are post war manufacture using war time stocks of left over bolts of original wool and lining materials.

I have yet to see a Heer version.


I personally will stick to the textbook German manufactured M43 hats but that is just me.



Glenn

Hello Glenn, surely on this forum we have at least one member who has an Italian made SS M43 cap made from Italian wool with HBT liner which they know is 100% pre May 45 manufacture ? because until we get the real deal to compare with this inquiry comes to a dead end with every one of these caps under suspicion which if the caps are real is wrong. On the other hand if they are bad then lets expose the fake.

The fact at this stage as I understand it, is that the SS had M43 caps made out of Italian confiscated materials from 1943 onwards so where are the ones made then to compare with ?

I have a WH M43 I have is quite different from any others I have. This one I suspect to be of Italian manufacture having been aquired in Italy by a New Zealand soldier. Mine however has no makers markings at all and extensive wear and tear. Again I need to compare this with known Italian made caps to be sure

Following with interest, Chris