02-03-2009, 03:50 PM
Doug,
Please do not mix the different caps here. The one I am specifically referring to is the one at the top of this thread, and only this one, not the ones you showed in the other threads or subsequebtly; I hope that this is clear to all.
I have unfortunately handled only a very limited number of these caps, that is if we talk about original ones :D On the other hand, I have handled a sizeable number of recently produced ones in the StP area, and I must confess that I am friend with one of those dreaded "cap artists".
This gentleman specializes exclusively in Imperial and early Soviet caps, and has already a rather frightening trophy board, some of his production having been published (as originals!!!) by such well respected specialists as G. Gorokhov (especially in his latest book on the Imperial Guard); two of his Imperail caps underwent expertise by Russian Museum specialists (I'll pass on the reasons how and why they ended up being assessed, that's an other story) and were given a clean bill of health ("fully original caps with 10 to 15% of restorations") - a result he considers his crowing achievement :rolleyes. So far, he's been practicing his art for close to 15 years, and has reach his present level of mastery about 8~10 years ago.
To make things short, he uses exclusively period items (fabric, thread, etc with the exception of the visors, which are good-quality modern production), period equipment (yes, he uses a turn-of-the-century sewing machine for his Imperial production and a mid-1920s one for his Soviet creations), and has come up with what is IMHO one of the most convincing ageing process to date, although extremely careful examination may reveal some, let's call them "less comfortably feeling", specificities: wear pattern on the visor, heavy dust, stamps (he has a rather large range of them...), appearance of wear- defects in fabric, etc. All of his caps have original period hardware: buttons, badges, etc.
From what I can see and IMHO, we are dealing here with one of his lost children.
Marc
Please do not mix the different caps here. The one I am specifically referring to is the one at the top of this thread, and only this one, not the ones you showed in the other threads or subsequebtly; I hope that this is clear to all.
I have unfortunately handled only a very limited number of these caps, that is if we talk about original ones :D On the other hand, I have handled a sizeable number of recently produced ones in the StP area, and I must confess that I am friend with one of those dreaded "cap artists".
This gentleman specializes exclusively in Imperial and early Soviet caps, and has already a rather frightening trophy board, some of his production having been published (as originals!!!) by such well respected specialists as G. Gorokhov (especially in his latest book on the Imperial Guard); two of his Imperail caps underwent expertise by Russian Museum specialists (I'll pass on the reasons how and why they ended up being assessed, that's an other story) and were given a clean bill of health ("fully original caps with 10 to 15% of restorations") - a result he considers his crowing achievement :rolleyes. So far, he's been practicing his art for close to 15 years, and has reach his present level of mastery about 8~10 years ago.
To make things short, he uses exclusively period items (fabric, thread, etc with the exception of the visors, which are good-quality modern production), period equipment (yes, he uses a turn-of-the-century sewing machine for his Imperial production and a mid-1920s one for his Soviet creations), and has come up with what is IMHO one of the most convincing ageing process to date, although extremely careful examination may reveal some, let's call them "less comfortably feeling", specificities: wear pattern on the visor, heavy dust, stamps (he has a rather large range of them...), appearance of wear- defects in fabric, etc. All of his caps have original period hardware: buttons, badges, etc.
From what I can see and IMHO, we are dealing here with one of his lost children.
Marc
