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Ideas on a repro cap for an unteroffizer?

Discussion in 'Living History' started by BratwurstDimSum, Dec 11, 2003.

  1. BratwurstDimSum

    BratwurstDimSum Member

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    Another question

    I (somehow) got the urge to bid for and win a NCO cap badge:

    [​IMG]

    Any ideas on what kind of cap I can base a repro on?

    I've heard of NVA but where can I get these from? CHEAP!!??

    [ 13. December 2003, 10:07 AM: Message edited by: BratwurstDimSum ]
     
  2. Stefan

    Stefan Cavalry Rupert

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    Is that not an officers cap badge? If it is, well, thats your problem sorted. If not, then go to www.epicmilitiaria.com and buy a cap, that NCA one is abysmal ;)
     
  3. BratwurstDimSum

    BratwurstDimSum Member

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    Hmm, I'm confused now, the ebay auction was selling it as an NCO, we all know how accurate ebay is but I checked some pics and thought it was NCO as well...

    Anyhoo, this is what epic are offering:

    [​IMG]

    Not that spectacular for £60 and it goes up from there!
     
  4. BratwurstDimSum

    BratwurstDimSum Member

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    next one up is this one, a field cap:

    £80
    [​IMG]

    The NVA one again...
    [​IMG]

    Stefan, heres another interesting on ebay, farb?? It claims to be a movie prop from the movie "patton"
    [​IMG]
    It's pretty close to the NVA IMHO

    [ 11. December 2003, 08:23 AM: Message edited by: BratwurstDimSum ]
     
  5. BratwurstDimSum

    BratwurstDimSum Member

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    ok I'm not usually in the habit of answering my own questions but I have a lot of free time at work today it appears...

    I just got off the phone from my surplus store for this: £6!

    East/DDR German Officer Peak cap (Brd Guard)
    [​IMG]

    Only difference appears to be piping as it does bear resemblance to pioneer,

    source: Time Traveler
    [​IMG]

    & medical caps of the Heer.

    source: Time Traveler
    [​IMG]


    source: lost battalions
    [​IMG]

    Hope he has a size that fits my big head. :confused:

    [ 11. December 2003, 09:06 AM: Message edited by: BratwurstDimSum ]
     
  6. Lustmolch

    Lustmolch Member

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    To further compound the issue, I think the NCO cap had a BeVo wreath and eagle as opposed to the metal type but I am open to correction on this (plus I don't know of a supplier of this type of insignia).
     
  7. BratwurstDimSum

    BratwurstDimSum Member

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    Sorry Stef & Lustmolch, just checked my "bible" and I must correct you. You were half correct [​IMG]

    From Pg 97 "German Army Uniforms and Insignia" by Davis
     
  8. Langemann

    Langemann Member

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    Brat,

    The schirmutze that you are showing there with the shiny brim would not have been worn in the field. That is a dress hat for formal occasions. Also, you can clearly see the wool difference between the NVA and original.

    When looking at the two in person (which I have) there is clearly no comparison between repro's and originals and converted NVA caps. NVA caps no matter how well converted are clearly NVA caps. My .02 pfennigs are that you save the money and buy something a tad bit more authentic.

    Langemann
     
  9. BratwurstDimSum

    BratwurstDimSum Member

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    Good advice, I do see the diffence in material now, but £80 is out of the question for me as I'm going back to the land "down under" in April and just want something to muck about with till then. After which, I'm confident I'll have zero opportunity to wear them anyhow :(
     
  10. Stefan

    Stefan Cavalry Rupert

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    I realised this morning how wrong I am, I forgot it was for a visor cap for which that is appropriate insignia for an NCO. The caps you have shown are all 'dress' caps, but they were a type that turned out to be very comfortable. NCO's and officers would first remove the shaper inside and stow the cap strapped to kit or folded so that eventually it lost its shape. Often to make this easier the lineing was removed. These caps soon became fashionable amongst soldiers, known to collectors as crusher caps, they were worn in the field in this 'crushed' configuration. Take a look at the photos on the following site to see what I mean:

    http://www.soldat.com/MutzSS.htm
     
  11. BratwurstDimSum

    BratwurstDimSum Member

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    Thanks Stefan, I'm sure if I get my £6 hat, remove the shaping band and stamp on it a couple of times it will look "field worn" [​IMG]

    How about this one for 55 euro / £40 ?

    [​IMG]

    [ 12. December 2003, 05:36 AM: Message edited by: BratwurstDimSum ]
     
  12. Lustmolch

    Lustmolch Member

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    Personally, I'd get a NVA cap, some repro badges and say to hell with it - thereby leaving you the extra £ for the more important things in life - beer for example! ;)
     
  13. Stefan

    Stefan Cavalry Rupert

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    But not looking like a re-enactor. I guess it depends what kind of impression you are going for though.
     
  14. Langemann

    Langemann Member

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    Brat,

    That last hat you show would look quite well when you've "aged" it a bit.

    Langemann
     
  15. Stefan

    Stefan Cavalry Rupert

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    My thoughts pretty much as well. If it is an original badge it deserves to go on a decent repro cap really does it not?
     
  16. BratwurstDimSum

    BratwurstDimSum Member

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    Yes true stefan, I did precisely the same with my RAF Cap badge, but I'm not 100% sure this is genuine, how else can it go for $9.99?

    Anyhow...with a bit of Paint shop pro ... it could look like this:

    BDS.
    [​IMG]

    voila!

    [ 12. December 2003, 12:27 PM: Message edited by: BratwurstDimSum ]
     
  17. Stefan

    Stefan Cavalry Rupert

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    Nice, will look better crushed though ;)
     
  18. BratwurstDimSum

    BratwurstDimSum Member

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    Like this?

    [​IMG]
     
  19. Stefan

    Stefan Cavalry Rupert

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    Just take the liner out, drag the sides down over the band, squash it lengthways and jam it beneath a strap somewhere (preferably outside) and it will look crushed properly ;)
     
  20. Langemann

    Langemann Member

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    Brat,

    You need to be careful of what you're putting as far as insignia goes on that cap. On 12/12 you posted a picture, 3 posts up I believe, of a Heer cap with a SS eagle and Heer cockade on it. Make sure if you're making a Heer cap, you have the Heer eagle and cockade on it. If you're making an SS cap, be sure to have the SS eagle and the Deaths head on it.

    If you've got any questions, let me know.

    Langemann
     

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