SS TK cap button marked M5/8

[SJP]

The correction in Military Advisor (summer 95) still maintained that a M5/8 button did exist.They showed 2 in the spring issue which were copies of the M5/8.IMO the one Gary shows is original.I also have one like that was veteran aquirred.I also have a well worn copy I picked up as original in the in early 80s.I will post pictures of both in the near future.Cheers Steve.

The first one is origanal IMO,vet aquirred,Second one a copy

Rear view

[SJP]

M5/8

Copy

[SJP]

M5/8

Rear,copy

[Gary Wood]

Below is a Totenkopf button I found a long time ago in a box of miscellaneous insignia. Due to the lack of detail I strongly believed it was a copy … but from what I read here it possibly could be original ? It is marked RZM – SS – 57. Any thoughts ?


Mark<O</O

mark,
Sorry your example looks like it is cast, do you have better pictures?
cheers,
gary

[bodes]

Hello,

Prior to starting this thread I checked the earlier ones but didn’t manage to find ‘the decisive answer’ concerning the M 5/8 marked SS-TK buttons.

Although the Totenkopf cap button shown below is identical to that one illustrated on page 109 of A. Hayes’ “SS uniforms, insignia and accoutrements”, I would like to submit it here in order to be sure about its originality.

- The button is non-magnetic.
- The front part is made of some dark yellow metal alloy.
- The whole button is painted feldgrau but with a slight brown tint.
- The recess of the nose is pebbled but the eyes are not.
- Diameter is about 20 mm.

Many thanks for replying,

Mark

I personally have 2 overseas caps with TK buttons identical to the ones Mark and SJP are referring to....One hat has the feldgrau colored one and the other is in silver (eyes and nose blackened in)....I will tell you, IF they are fake,they are damned good ones ....The silver one I have is certain to fool the majority of collectors if they weren't on the guard.....They are a multi-pieced construction w/very tight detailing....Something one would expect from the rigid control of the Third Reich....The hats are very nicely made and easily surpass the black light treatment.....Mine are even piped...This I know is correct because I have a period picture with an SS soldier wearing one....
My question is, WHY are the TK buttons with the cleft chin pictured in Jack Pia's SS Regalia book? (a 1974 publication) I cannot say for sure they are hallmarked 5/8 but are very close in identical detail....Yes, I know just because it's in a book does NOT mean it's authentic but would like to believe the guys writing books would have access to all kinds of authentic material.....I do NOT know what to think for sure Bodes

[Langemark]

Fake '57' marked TK button

mark,
Sorry your example looks like it is cast, do you have better pictures?
cheers,
gary

You’re absolutely right, Gary, the 57-marked TK button I posted is a one-piece cast copy !

As I said, I got it long time ago along with other insignia but always considered it as a fake and consequently put it for years in the ‘junk box’. Reading here that 57–marked buttons existed, I suddenly remembered that I got one and posted pictures too precipitately, without even checking it closely again.

I should really feel ashamed : the button immediately goes back to the junk-box it belongs to !

Best,
Mark<O</O

[Robin Lumsden]

I personally have 2 overseas caps with TK buttons identical to the ones Mark and SJP are referring to....One hat has the feldgrau colored one and the other is in silver (eyes and nose blackened in)....I will tell you, IF they are fake,they are damned good ones ....The silver one I have is certain to fool the majority of collectors if they weren't on the guard.....They are a multi-pieced construction w/very tight detailing....Something one would expect from the rigid control of the Third Reich....The hats are very nicely made and easily surpass the black light treatment.....Mine are even piped...This I know is correct because I have a period picture with an SS soldier wearing one....
My question is, WHY are the TK buttons with the cleft chin pictured in Jack Pia's SS Regalia book? (a 1974 publication) I cannot say for sure they are hallmarked 5/8 but are very close in identical detail....Yes, I know just because it's in a book does NOT mean it's authentic but would like to believe the guys writing books would have access to all kinds of authentic material.....I do NOT know what to think for sure Bodes

There are a few repros in Jack Pia's book. Most books have copies which have 'slipped in'.

[Coco]

My SS Skull button

I have one in my collection - which I deem okay - that is marked '63', RzM and SS. The only thing is that the SS runes are not enclosed in a circle.

Any opinions are of course most welcomed.

Best regards,

Coco

[Coco]

The back:

The back:

[Robin Lumsden]

I have one in my collection - which I deem okay - that is marked '63', RzM and SS. The only thing is that the SS runes are not enclosed in a circle.

Any opinions are of course most welcomed.

Best regards,

Coco

Looks fine to me.