W-SS M-43 & Bergmutze difference

[BenVK]

Well, this is where I personally draw the line between a true bergmuetze as I judge one and all the other mountain cap and M43 styles of caps of which there are hundreds of different variations.

Again, I don't think you can say that the WSS bergmuetze had a longer bill than the Heer version, the Prinz Eugen photos I posted and that you also posted proove that there were SS bergmuetzen with very short peaks as well.

It might be perceived that I'm given you a hard time here but it's just because trying to categorize these things into neat little boxes is not, IMO, the way to judge things of the period.

[Obergruppen2]

Ben, let the pics do the talking, short visors, long visors, single, double button etc,etc,etc, what was important then was to find the partisans first and open fire and end up the day in one piece and light a cigarette with your kamerads and wait till the next day

[BenVK]

Absolutely my friend. I've said it a hundred times before but it's worth saying again. Period photos will always make a mockery of our attempts to compartmentalise these things..

It's always fun trying though!

I probably have asked the question before, actualy I'm sure I have but does anyone have or seen a cap with an SS-Bergmuetze RZM tag sewn in it?

[Obergruppen2]

There were no RZM tags in either W-SS Bergmutze or M-43 except makers and size stamps, they were discontinued with the introduction of the W-SS M-40 Schiffchen but this is probably the only one i have seen with an RZM tag, it's a NSDAP- NPEA officer's M43 (einheitsfeltmutze ) cap, school for political leaders of the Reich ! I think the SS-VT Feldmutze were the last ones that had RZM tags attached and in February 1941 they were freed from RZM control and from then on could be obtained from private hat makers and uniform outfitters even though the insignia was still only obtainable from RZM or one of its outlets ( Andrew Mollo - Uniforms of the Waffen-SS , Volume 6 )