The Finnish "blood scoop" has been an iconic uniform piece for the better part of a century. Officially introduced in 1936, the history of the M36 goes back to WWI, when Finnish soldiers brought back versions of German and Austrian field caps of a similar design.
Since its introduction, the M36 field cap has seen a number of variants produced. The M52, M58, M61, and M65 field caps can all be considered "updated" M36 caps, each with their own small differences in materials and construction.
Our latest shipment contained M61 and M65 field caps. As far as their closeness to the original M36, the M61 is valued more by collectors. The 1961 model is made of wool rather than the wool-blend twill fabric of the M65. The brim geometry is also slightly different between the two.
Specs
The Finnish "blood scoop" has been an iconic uniform piece for the better part of a century. Officially introduced in 1936, the history of the M36 goes back to WWI, when Finnish soldiers brought back versions of German and Austrian field caps of a similar design.
Since its introduction, the M36 field cap has seen a number of variants produced. The M52, M58, M61, and M65 field caps can all be considered "updated" M36 caps, each with their own small differences in materials and construction.
Our latest shipment contained M61 and M65 field caps. As far as their closeness to the original M36, the M61 is valued more by collectors. The 1961 model is made of wool rather than the wool-blend twill fabric of the M65. The brim geometry is also slightly different between the two.
Specs
| Sizing |
Rated 0 on a scale of minus 2 to 2, where minus 2 is Runs Small, 0 is True to Size and 2 is Runs Big
|
| Performance |
Rated 4 out of 5
|
Fits nice and snug true to size and looks sharp.
| Sizing |
Rated 0 on a scale of minus 2 to 2, where minus 2 is Runs Small, 0 is True to Size and 2 is Runs Big
|
|---|---|
| Performance |
Rated 5 out of 5
|
Keeps my head nice and warm, even though I'm a dumbass that can't measure my head. Got two sizes too big, still love it.
| Sizing |
Rated 1 on a scale of minus 2 to 2, where minus 2 is Runs Small, 0 is True to Size and 2 is Runs Big
|
|---|---|
| Performance |
Rated 5 out of 5
|
Silk inside keeps my thicc and definitely not bald head nice and warm
| Sizing |
Rated 1 on a scale of minus 2 to 2, where minus 2 is Runs Small, 0 is True to Size and 2 is Runs Big
|
|---|---|
| Performance |
Rated 4 out of 5
|
It's a hat. It functions as a hat. There are no flaws with the hat. I enjoy this hat. It looks extremely fashionable. Ivan even threw in some bonus Valentines stuff and a free sticker. Ivan is cool and good. Five stars
| Sizing |
Rated 0 on a scale of minus 2 to 2, where minus 2 is Runs Small, 0 is True to Size and 2 is Runs Big
|
|---|---|
| Performance |
Rated 5 out of 5
|
The M65 is probably the best 'jaeger' style cap out there; it has that essential cut and style, but it is not so aggressively high peaked in the front as most of the more "germanic" types that have been issued. The materials are excellent, and the fit and finish are superb, with the caveat that the fit is quite large. I usually wear a 59, and I found the 58 was almost too large. This seems to be a universal quality of Finnish military clothing; I have a pair of Finnish jack boots that are about a whole size large, based on their own size charts.
| Sizing |
Rated 1 on a scale of minus 2 to 2, where minus 2 is Runs Small, 0 is True to Size and 2 is Runs Big
|
|---|---|
| Performance |
Rated 5 out of 5
|
So far it seems like all of the cap sizes are pretty on point except for the M65 in Size 58, which like Paulie explained fits more akin to a 60. I'm guessing the Finnish wear a layer (Balaclava) under their hat, hence the extra space.
