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| "Italian" wool |
Correct pattern |
Original WWII insignia |
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Same large font commonly
found in original caps
of this type |
Original bias tape
used under the flap seam
and HBT webbing
for the ear muff
loops
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After Italy surrendered in 1943, Germany confiscated tons of raw materials, including uniform fabric. Assumedly, the mills in areas still occupied by the Axis forces continued to produce them. Tunics, trousers and caps were all made from the Italian materials. The wool is coarser and the color is more bluish than the German Feldgrau.
These caps themselves are 100% made in USA, with original WWII German trapezoid insignia. The 80/20 wool cloth was made 15 years ago by Woolrich at their mill in PA (now closed), and the HBT rayon lining custom made by another now defunct firm in VA.
Both were matched to samples of WWII materials. Our cutting pattern is made directly from a dis-assembled original cap which is why these fit properly, with a full crown. Unlike most reproductions, they fit and form just like an original cap.
We used the same large font for the size stamp, typical of what one finds in original examples of these caps. For reasons unknown, most of them lack any maker mark or date.
Issue? Are the correct for Infantrie Regiment 69 impressions? Or a Volksgrenadier defending Aachen? Yes.
Judging by the simple fact that authentic caps and uniforms made from these fabrics are rather common, it's apparent that Germany acquired a very large quantity of these materials. I'd say 25-30% of WWII M43 caps, tunics, and trousers one encounters today are made from some type of Italian cloth. These would have been general issue and not unit specific.
Made in USA
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SIGN IN
SHOPPING BAG ()
270.384.1965