M40 tropical field cap for authentication please

[gibsonsg]

Unfortunately, the grommets are lined with some corrosion that makes it hard to photograph well. It looks like I could clean them rather safely but I wanted to post some pictures in its as-found condition.
Thanks in advance for your comments!

[Adrian Stevenson]

Looks fine to me.

Cheers, Ade.

[Jerry B]

Agree with Ade, a fine original with the sweatband.

[BenVK]

I'm a bit concerned to be honest. All the cloth looks in pristine condition yet the grommets are heavily corroded. I know that some people say that you can't transplant original grommets into a repro cap but anything is possible in the world of fakery!

Any stamps on the lining?

[Jerry B]

I'm a bit concerned to be honest. All the cloth looks in pristine condition yet the grommets are heavily corroded. I know that some people say that you can't transplant original grommets into a repro cap but anything is possible in the world of fakery!

Any stamps on the lining?

Hi Ben,

just looks like badly corroded grommets with zinc pest, IMO.

Regards,

Jerry

[NZMark]

Hi Guys,
I like it. The cap's been sitting in a place for a long period where moisture has very slowly degraded the grommets outer shells, while the alloy has gone funky for the same reason. You will find the sweatband has also shrunk over time as well - so a size 57 cap will now only fit a 53...
I have the exact same sweatband material on a couple of my m40's.
She's been roughly manufactured, for sure, but still a desirable cap.
Regards,
Mark
PS - I can't end without my old mantra....It's an m40, not m41!

[Adrian Stevenson]

PS - I can't end without my old mantra....It's an m40, not m41!

I have edited the thread title

[NZMark]

Thanks Adrian,
My heart rythm is settling back to it's average 300 beats a minute
Regarding the cap's grommets and cleaning, the best thing you can do is use a dental tool to remove the powder build up on the alloy areas and very gently pick it off. Unfortunately once alloy/zinc starts to degrade it's all down hill, but this is a case of preservation, not restoration.
The other advice I'd offer is get yourself a hat-block or similar and get the cap up off it's visor so it doesn't pop the stitching. As well as getting the cap into a more natural profile and keeping it in form, this is also a more attractive way of viewing it.
Best Regards,
Mark

[BenVK]

I'll happily defer to Mark's expertise on this M40.
I just thought it odd that the red lining has not got any transfer of the zinc corrosion on it at all.

[NZMark]

Ben,
Always best to be cautious - and seeing such degredation on the grommets we would/could see perishing/rot to the lining if the cap was folded upon itself, as we've seen with sidecaps.
Mark