I'm looking for a decent quality 'crusher' cap that doesn't cost an arm and a leg just because it's got a fancy brand-name on it and was "made on original WW2 jigs by ex-Nazi gnomes what was found in a bunker under Berlin".
I tried this £39.99 jobby from SoF but...
The larger deaths-head is the proper size, the one on the cap is...I dunno, crap?
It was also lined with foam, which meant it was never going to 'crush'.
TIA for any suggestions.
From speaking to other people it takes along time to get it 'crushed' so overtime by using it it will get this effect . Or you could leave it outside for a couple of weeks and walk on it
I had one of SoF's army crushers, you cut all the lining out the inside and leave it in a basin of water (submerged) for about 20 minutes and then sit like a right tart with it on your head for the next 3 hours and you'll get a nice crushed look; Tis what I did!
I soaked mine in water then tied a belt around it to crush down the sides, worked really well. Removing the lining will certainly help as said above!
I've ordered one from Richard Underwood, seventy quid (on sale because he has so many left over from supplying the movie 'Fury'). Made in Germany so fingers crossed. Thanks guys.
Turned out Richard was out of stock of the size I ordered, so he refunded me and I got one from Militaria Net instead (£15 cheaper) and it's pukka.
NB: It came with the wire stiffener already removed but there was a vertical metal plate going up behind the deaths-head and eagle which I removed. Soaked it in cold water and smushed it down over my head and wore it until it was pretty much dry. The soaking also softened the very stiff band of card behind the black velvet (?) rim.
I found that removing the padding and crushing was often enough. Always left the metal plate in as it allowed you to shape it better.