Opinions on SS NCO/EM visor

[eccles23]

Hi there,
Can I please get people's thoughts on this hat I bought a few months ago?
thanks
James








*EDIT* - as requested below, I've attached some additional photos taken in daylight and showing closeups of the band

[ErWeSa]

The cap has all the typical features of an earlier period EM/NCO cap. As long as the centerband has always been black (and not been painted black later on - on my screen it looks a bit peculiar, check for holes of a WH-Heer oakleaf wreath badge) I can see no problem. The insignia specialists will tell you whether these are O. K.

Is this such a hole of another insignia?

[eccles23]

thanks very much ErWeSa - I don't have access to it atm, it's at my parents place. But I think that was just a tiny moth nip - not a hole. I remember thinking the band was surprising since it wasn't felt but I figured perhaps it's just the officer's that are felt. I did find a very similar looking band on a couple of sites. It definitely looks black in real life though (I'm pretty sure). Would love additional opinions. I'll need to take some more detailed photos as well.

[eccles23]

Here is another pic I found - but not as close up. (feel free to comment on the others too)

[Aldo]

I agree with Wolfgang that overall the cap looks good but the band gives the appearance of having been dyed black in the photo's. Further inspection in hand can tell you more. On another note the Assmann skull is authentic, you see so many fake "360" versions of this skull on caps everywhere.

Felt is normal in an EM or NCO you would expect to see a velvet band for an Officer model.

[eccles23]

thanks Al! sorry - I misspoke - I meant velvet - not felt.
That would be a worry if it could potentially be a dyed band of a Heer example - is that what you guys are thinking? or just not enough data to go on yet?

[ErWeSa]

Actually it is not felt but "Abzeichentuch" or some kind of Tuchloden - woven woollen fabric. If an SS-EM/NCO cap has a velvet centerband there is, indeed, a problem (and the saucer-shape indicates an EM/NCO cap) as only officers' caps had velvet centerbands.

[Aldo]

Yes but I think the color just looks peculiar in your photo's, it's probably the correct wool. Just try a few pics in natural light when you can just to be certain

Here are closeups of the wool on my bands. they are very similar to yours

[eccles23]

Thanks Aldo!
I've added some additional images to the original post above (it keeps things neater than having everything scattered over posts)

[eccles23]

additional image upload