WSS OFFICER M40 SIDE HAT NAMED TO HANS JURGEN HARCKE , SS-Pz. 101 !!

Nicest character M40 officer side cap I have had the pleasure to own,cap was sourced from a WWII US veteran of the 45th Div. by Arthur Hayes who subsequently sold the hat to a well known Texan dealer, which is where I sourced the hat a couple of years back, the cap has the name of the original owner hand written in ink to the interior lining, ' J Harcke' research has revealed former owners LAH military service to have spanned from 1940 thru the Balkans, Russia, SS-Schule Braunsweig , and in Normandy with SS-Pz.Nach.Abt.101 !! Harcke's records were found in the Washington archives, not only his SS officer file with photos! But also a copy of his Wehrpass! These documents confirm not only Harcks cap size as 56, (the cap measures 56) but also his handwritten signature style in the Wehrpass is the exact same style as the name in the cap. The cap has seen hard service and shows heavy soiling to the interior liner, inside also reveals staples and paper clips utilized to pinch the cap top together tightly. The cap silver officer piping has been removed and side flaps sewn down by hand , presumably to avoid sniper attention! The exterior gabardine wool has suffered several moth bites and damage, however the cap still has a very pleasing appearance, the flat wire SS officer insignia is particularly attractive and eye catching.
Document set is 17 pages and 2 photos in civilian clothing.

Code: 5228