M43 Afrika Cap

[Mark K]

Sorry the original image was driving crazy was getting a sore neck from looking at it.
The Tropen Mutzen Adler looks to have been hastily applied or reapplied at some time in it's life hard to tell from the images is the cockade machine or hand stitched to the cap ?
Edit: I think it looks to be hand stitched

Regards Mark K

[SenorRojer]

Sorry the original image was driving crazy was getting a sore neck from looking at it.
The Tropen Mutzen Adler looks to have been hastily applied or reapplied at some time in it's life hard to tell from the images is the cockade machine or hand stitched to the cap ?
Edit: I think it looks to be hand stitched

Regards Mark K

[Jerry B]

Sorry the original image was driving crazy was getting a sore neck from looking at it.
The Tropen Mutzen Adler looks to have been hastily applied or reapplied at some time in it's life hard to tell from the images is the cockade machine or hand stitched to the cap ?
Edit: I think it looks to be hand stitched

Regards Mark K

Hi Mark,

Hand stitching was used to apply insignia to German tropical caps, but is something that is more often seen on early caps, but not exclusively.

It does look to be re applied and looks more worn than the rest of the cap.

[Mark K]

Thanks Jerry I have seen examples go both ways with these as well machine applied cockades hand stitched Adlers or all machine application or all hand stitching and I do agree the Adler looks to have inconsistent wear compared to the rest of the cap .
I cant get rid of a nagging feeling I have concerning this cap though the grommet's and some of the stitching are just not sitting right with me I do hope I am mistaken but we are all here to learn .

Regards Mark K

[Nigel Lesgate]

The grommets and stamp are feasible to me but, the sweatband has me wondering because it's not made right, in my opinion. It lacks the lower edge stiffener strip, sometimes seen in white or black crinoline, that actually keeps the hat from shrinking....one of the reasons they put them in. That being said, I like the cap more than dislike and will give it a benefit of doubt until I can prove otherwise. Has anyone seen this makers cap posted on another forum?.....it looks so familiar but I can't place it. Ottmar Reich Lindenburg.

[Nigel Lesgate]

Did some poking about on other forums. Ralph Heinz comments on a DAK thread that Ottmar Reich is indeed a legit maker, though less prolific, and made these in the '42-43 period. Further poking also reveals that all sweatbands didn't necessarily have the crinoline. So I'll be standing down on my somewhat esoteric critique. I've also been a proponent of "why reproduce mid to late period caps?".... as they don't really fetch the big bucks and they are labor intensive. Have come to accept that they will reproduce anything.

[Nigel Lesgate]

Well, I knew I had seen one somewhere....here'tis.

[Mark K]

Did some poking about on other forums. Ralph Heinz comments on a DAK thread that Ottmar Reich is indeed a legit maker, though less prolific, and made these in the '42-43 period. Further poking also reveals that all sweatbands didn't necessarily have the crinoline. So I'll be standing down on my somewhat esoteric critique. I've also been a proponent of "why reproduce mid to late period caps?".... as they don't really fetch the big bucks and they are labor intensive. Have come to accept that they will reproduce anything.

Good bit of sleuth work Doctor Watson you have broken the case I have learned a few things I did not know in regards to manufactures and construction of said caps.

Regards Mark K

[SenorRojer]

thanks alot for the responses guys. So im taking it that it is not a reproduction?

[Jerry B]

Well, I knew I had seen one somewhere....here'tis.

Very strange insignia application on that one Nigel. It looks hand done by someone trying to make it look machine done?


Where are the images from if I may ask?