Overseas Cap

[lonewolf523]

Gents,
Picked up this overseas cap in a trade. I can't find out what it is for? It has the eagle and the makers mark on the inside but looks like
it is missing the cockade? Had to use a magnifying glass to see the stamp on the inside!! Thanks as always for your help. LW

[ErWeSa]

It wants to be an M42. I am no specialist for these but the fabric and the lack of air vents let me doubt whether this is original - could you take a picture with the flaps pulled down? The maker would be Willy Sprengpfeil from Hamburg.
For comparison see here:
M42 Feldmütze - My Nicest Cap. What do you think?
Wehrmacht sidecap M42
Looking forward to the specialists' opinions.

[JPhilip]

...but the fabric and the lack of air vents let me doubt whether this is original

Hello,
The lack of air vents for a Feldmütze 42 is a big "no go"...
IMO the fabric is the (in)famous "Latvian wool"

lonewolf : you should cancel this trade and get your item back
Thanks

[Aldo]

I agree the material and lack of vent holes and type of insignia leave doubt. These m42's usually have a Trap insignia shaped into a T with the incorporated cockade.


This is an m42 formerly in my collection for comparison

[Neil Hever]

Al is quite right. I did a long and exhaustive search for a Model 42 Schiffchen and I agree with his evaluation. His photo matches my example. I would not have purchased the cap in question for the reasons mentioned and also for the ill fitting button front that does not resemble an original example. I guess it is kind of easy to fake stamps. Neil

[SHEMP H]

Good eye Neil, nice hat Al, I have one of these on my list.


Bill

[JPhilip]

[B] These m42's usually have a Trap insignia shaped into a T with the incorporated cockade.

Hello,
A part of the production of Feldmützen 42 and even of Einheitsfeldmützen did have two pieces insignia applied at the factory.
When the Feldmütze 42 was adopted and produced, the T-shape insignia was reserved for the Bergmütze of Gebirgstruppen, so in my opinion, early productions of the Feldmütze 42 had two pieces insignia, later "replaced" by the T-shape example.
Two of the most beautiful Einheitsfeldmützen i've seen in my collecting life had two pieces insignia, one can be seen in "Feldgrauen" in pages dedicated to headgear.
Your former Feldmütze 42 looks very nice, why did you sell it ?
Considering the insignia and the rayon lining this example is a "late production" Feldmütze 42
You own great examples of german military headgear, this one is matching them in term of quality if my mermory is right.
Thanks

[Aldo]

Hello,
A part of the production of Feldmützen 42 and even of Einheitsfeldmützen did have two pieces insignia applied at the factory.
When the Feldmütze 42 was adopted and produced, the T-shape insignia was reserved for the Bergmütze of Gebirgstruppen, so in my opinion, early productions of the Feldmütze 42 had two pieces insignia, later "replaced" by the T-shape example.
Two of the most beautiful Einheitsfeldmützen i've seen in my collecting life had two pieces insignia, one can be seen in "Feldgrauen" in pages dedicated to headgear.
Your former Feldmütze 42 looks very nice, why did you sell it ?
Considering the insignia and the rayon lining this example is a "late production" Feldmütze 42
You own great examples of german military headgear, this one is matching them in term of quality if my mermory is right.
Thanks

Thank you, everything is subjective I suppose. I always found the Feldmütze 42 to be ungainly in appearance in comparison to its predecessors. Essentially an m43 without a peak. I convinced myself I did not like it and I sold it for a pittance and of course I have regretted it ever since.

[Neil Hever]

Al, your M42 Schiffchen looked fantastic. My example isn't bad. I do agree that these caps are kind of ugly but it was the right one to go with my M42 Feldbluse. Neil

[Kohima]

Note also, in the O/P, the spelling of Hamburg (Hambrug)!