Schöneboom
10-13-07, 04:41 PM
Guten Tag, Meine Herren,
I chose to post my review here since this forum probably contains the highest concentration of people likely to want a replica Kaleun cap (Kriegsmarine officer's cap). The format I'm using is similar to my reviews at Epinions.com.
"Be Careful What You Wish For"
Overall: *** (3 of 5 stars)
Pros: Sturdy, fits well
Cons: Long wait; noticeable flaws in the details
Bottom Line: Had I known better, I would have written my order differently, or tried another company.
Replicaters.com is the website for Ujna Universal, an India-based replica uniform company. Last summer I ordered a Kriegsmarine officer's peak cap with white summer cover and the narrow band of gold scallops, appropriate for a Kapitanleutnant. I don't know if they offer this cap with a permanent white top (i.e., instead of the navy blue), but the photos at their site show such a cap -- and that's what I should have asked for specifically.
I mailed in my personal check and provided my hat size (7-3/8). What I received, after waiting a month (India has a rather fluid sense of time, I've heard), was not quite what I'd expected:
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6598/kaleun5rd9.jpg
In some respects, it's a nice piece of work, but as you see, it wouldn't fool the guards at La Rochelle. I don't know if Kaleuns ever used a detachable white top, but I've never seen that elastic crinkled edge in any photos. And on all the white caps at the website, the eagle is a metallic badge, not an embroidered patch -- that one looks more appropriate for a tunic than a cap, and jeepers, the stitching was sloppy (see close-up). Also, the round gold badge in front should be larger and extend part-way over the white top; most photos of the real thing show this. The brass buttons on each side of the leather strap are rather cheap-looking -- in general, you can tell it's a replica by the quality of the materials used. By comparison, the costumes used in Hollywood films are more convincing (I mean the ones worn by stars, not extras), but of course they cost more, too.
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/6048/kaleun2rp7.jpg
On the plus side, the hat fits perfectly, and the wire stiffener was easily removed -- just reach inside and pull it out. Still, because the actual top of this hat is thick navy wool, with a white cotton top over it, it never really gets floppy, as we've seen in the pictures & movies. There was also a peculiar plastic lining inside, but I simply pulled it out, revealing plain cotton beneath (see photo below). The total price of $74 (shipping included) was reasonable, considering the hat was made to order. I just wish I'd gotten the hat I meant to get.
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/8281/kaleun3mp7.jpg
I chose to post my review here since this forum probably contains the highest concentration of people likely to want a replica Kaleun cap (Kriegsmarine officer's cap). The format I'm using is similar to my reviews at Epinions.com.
"Be Careful What You Wish For"
Overall: *** (3 of 5 stars)
Pros: Sturdy, fits well
Cons: Long wait; noticeable flaws in the details
Bottom Line: Had I known better, I would have written my order differently, or tried another company.
Replicaters.com is the website for Ujna Universal, an India-based replica uniform company. Last summer I ordered a Kriegsmarine officer's peak cap with white summer cover and the narrow band of gold scallops, appropriate for a Kapitanleutnant. I don't know if they offer this cap with a permanent white top (i.e., instead of the navy blue), but the photos at their site show such a cap -- and that's what I should have asked for specifically.
I mailed in my personal check and provided my hat size (7-3/8). What I received, after waiting a month (India has a rather fluid sense of time, I've heard), was not quite what I'd expected:
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6598/kaleun5rd9.jpg
In some respects, it's a nice piece of work, but as you see, it wouldn't fool the guards at La Rochelle. I don't know if Kaleuns ever used a detachable white top, but I've never seen that elastic crinkled edge in any photos. And on all the white caps at the website, the eagle is a metallic badge, not an embroidered patch -- that one looks more appropriate for a tunic than a cap, and jeepers, the stitching was sloppy (see close-up). Also, the round gold badge in front should be larger and extend part-way over the white top; most photos of the real thing show this. The brass buttons on each side of the leather strap are rather cheap-looking -- in general, you can tell it's a replica by the quality of the materials used. By comparison, the costumes used in Hollywood films are more convincing (I mean the ones worn by stars, not extras), but of course they cost more, too.
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/6048/kaleun2rp7.jpg
On the plus side, the hat fits perfectly, and the wire stiffener was easily removed -- just reach inside and pull it out. Still, because the actual top of this hat is thick navy wool, with a white cotton top over it, it never really gets floppy, as we've seen in the pictures & movies. There was also a peculiar plastic lining inside, but I simply pulled it out, revealing plain cotton beneath (see photo below). The total price of $74 (shipping included) was reasonable, considering the hat was made to order. I just wish I'd gotten the hat I meant to get.
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/8281/kaleun3mp7.jpg