I am having trouble finding a hat that is exactly the same as this one. I found a replica hat for a Waffen SS Storm Artillery but the hat is quite a bit taller than this one. Under the internal leather band, I found a white, loose-woven patch with possibly some kind of symbol and writing stamped on it but it is so badly faded I can't identify them. Someone has also written with ink some numbers and possibly letters under this band. A patch of clear plastic material has been sewn onto the hat lining where it would rest on top of the head.. It is not sewn on one side so as to create something like a pocket. On replica hats I have found in photos, the inside of the peak of the hat does not have the same chequered pattern embossed in them as this one. The hat is dark green and appears to be made of wool. It has red piping. The lining is a sort of gold satin. The black band to which the skull and crossbones is attached is a velvet material. In a couple of places inside the hat, I can see woven timber which goes around the entire hat and makes it stiff. It smells like a very old piano! :) It feels very fragile, has been hand sewn by someone in the past but appears to be very old. Do you think it is genuine? I am very interested to confirm which part of the SS this hat belongs.
Re: WWII German SS Peak Hat
Is it red or pink piping around the visor cap?
Red would be artillery and if it's pink its Panzer or tank. If pink you scored big time but either way its a very desirable visor cap!! The SS only did colored piping for 6 months during the war then went back to the old way. Either way its a rare SS visor cap and worth big bucks!!!
I'm not exactly sure on the price or their value? I got out of dealing and collecting German WWII stuff because so much of it is fake anymore and there getting good at it! If its the real thing you scored big time!! Since I've been out of it for about 7 years now and this stuff goes up in value 15 to 60% a year its tuff to say? Myself I wouldn't let it go for no less than $3,000. But may well be worth more. A dealer will only give you half of that if your lucky. Be careful there's a lot of unscrupulous dealers out there that will tell you anything or down grade it so they can get there hands on it. You have a great rare piece, do your home work and don't sell it cheap hold your ground you will have absolutely no problem selling it. Good luck and if you need more help with it just let me know I'll be more than happy to help. I'm tired of these unscrupulous dealers taking advantage of people because they don't know what they have. Good luck!!
It's hard to say just going off the pictures but it looks real except I don't like the chin strap it looks to new for the cap? Could have been a enlisted soldier that was turned into an officer and he added the chinstrap later also they would take out the inside of the cap that made it stand up kind of a saddle shape to give it more of a crusher look that was popular with the troops