Original or fake: Heer Officers Schirmmutze

**HARRY THE MOLE** · 12-28-2014, 10:05 PM

by Steven Macquillin

Hi Larry, thanks for your quick reply. Yep I wasn't expecting a reply to quickly, most likely a lot of hangovers out there to get over.
All the best
Steve.

Hi Steven, The cap belonged to me once, although when I had it, the ageing wasn't as pronounced. And when I sold it, I did so as a copy (to a dealer). The underside of the peak is an obvious pointer to fake ageing. The wear in that area should be commensurate with contact from finger on the outside and thumb on the underside. The 'wear' in that area has obviously been applied by scratching the surface with something - such as the edge of a coin. The sweatband shows the same treatment .

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 12-28-2014 10:05 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**Steven Macquillin** · 12-28-2014, 10:34 PM

Hi there, the guy who sold it to me, was I think Polish. He has a whole load of German stuff he is offering me for sale. He says he is living in Scotland. I have just sent him an email expressing my displeasure at the fact of being ripped off. Glad it was only £80. I will most probably keep it as a reminder of what is out there. I need to purchase a genuine WW2 artillery cap, I think I have found one from a dealer, RJ Militaria for £325. Looks a nice cap, maker marked, 'G. Lapf, Kassel, Kolnischestr.12 thanks for the info.
All the best Steve.

**Steven Macquillin** · 12-29-2014, 09:49 AM

Good morning my friends. Can you please give me your opinions of this cap please. I am told it is original and having some better photos sent. http://cdn.iofferphoto.com/img/item/...-1571.jpgc.jpg Thank you Steve.
P.S. I don't think the pictures will load so will have to wait for the one's being sent by email.

**Adrian Stevenson** · 12-29-2014, 09:52 AM

http://cdn.iofferphoto.com/img/item/...knuth-355d.jpg

Reposted a corrected link for you.

**Steven Macquillin** · 12-29-2014, 09:53 AM

Hi Adrian, yes just noticed.

**Steven Macquillin** · 12-29-2014, 09:56 AM

Hi Adrian, yes that's one of the pictures but not one of the best.

**Adrian Stevenson** · 12-29-2014, 09:59 AM

From the one pic shown, note the air vents on the underside of the cap.

**Adrian Stevenson** · 12-29-2014, 10:07 AM

Now read this thread:

https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/cap-a...oseurs-338398/

Hope this helps you?

Cheers, Ade.

**Steven Macquillin** · 12-29-2014, 10:37 AM

Thanks Ade. Helps a lot. I am going to our local book shop today to try and find a decent book on these caps. This site is a wealth of information and is very much appreciated. I spent most of last night looking at pictures of 3rd Reich caps to try and get some sort of 'rule of thumb' to give me an idea what to look out for in a fake and found that some of these forgers are very clever. I can start to see why us novices get taken in, we are all to eager to buy instead of taking the time to talk to specialists like you and the others on this forum. I have quite a large collection of military gear from medals, uniforms, caps, deac's etc. but nearly all British stuff is original and the fake is easy to spot. German stuff is new to me and is quite a different story. New Years resolution is to read, study and ask you guy's before buying. All your help is very much appreciated. Thanks again Steve.

**HARRY THE MOLE** · 12-29-2014, 11:09 AM

Hi Steve, RJ Militaria are one of the more reputable dealers. I have dealt with them several times and never had a problem with them. As for the cap you purchased, one of the more obvious signs of it being a fake was the price you paid for it. I don't know of anyone who would sell a genuine one so cheap!

Cheers,
Steve.