BACKGROUND: The M43 field cap was introduced for wear by all ranks on June 11^TH 1943 as a replacement cap for the other field caps then in use. The design of the M43 field cap was based on the earlier M42 Feldmütze, (Overseas cap), and the Mountain Troopers Bergmütze, (Mountain Cap), with minor variations. The standard issue M43 field caps were constructed of field-grey material while a black version was introduced at the same time for Panzer personnel. Officer’s ranks were distinguished by piping on the crown of the cap with silver piping for the ranks of Leutnant to Oberst and gilt piping for General Officer’s ranks of Generalmajor to Generalfeldmarschall while EM/NCO’s caps were not piped. Further regulations also dictated that the buttons on the cap were also to be an indicator of rank with field-grey buttons for EM/NCO’s, silver for field and company grade officers and gilt for General’s ranks but this was not strictly adhered to. Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own caps and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the army’s Kleiderkasse, (Clothing Account), system. The Officers and certain senior NCO’s could choose to purchase their caps from the armed forces clothing depots or to privately purchase visor caps of higher quality. Although enlisted personnel were issued their caps from government supplies they were also permitted to purchase privately tailored caps although the price may have been restrictive. The German army originally adopted a slightly modified version of the NSDAP’s, Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, (National Socialist German Worker’s Party), national eagle by order on February 17^TH 1934, with instructions to have it applied to all steel helmets, visor caps, and tunics by May 1^ST 1934. Regulations followed on October 30^TH 1935 that stipulated the national eagle was also to be applied to all field caps. On March 14^TH 1933 the Weimar, (Circa 1919-1933), Reichswehr, (National Defence {Force}), era oval black, red and gold cockade was replaced with a circular cockade in black, white, and red and was utilized through-out the Third Reich period.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Slightly mottled, field-grey wool construction cap features fold down back and side panels with a downward scalloped front edge and forward sides and two, field-grey painted, alloy, dish, front closure buttons. The back and side panels were designed to be folded down to protect the wearer’s ears and neck and the scalloped front section could be secured with the buttons closed under the wearer’s chin. The buttons retain about 60% of their original field-grey paint with wear to the base alloy and appear to have their original stitching. The owner has personalized the cap by hand stitching the fold down panels in the upright position at either side. The cap has a green painted, aluminum alloy, ventilation grommet to either side positioned just below the crown edge. The ventilation grommets only retain hints of their green paint. The cap has been stripped of insignia with a couple of small puncture holes to the front center. The cap has an extended, cloth covered, forward, visor with an internal stiffener with a subtly raised lip to the bottom of the forward edge. The internal visor stiffener is slightly wrinkled. Interestingly the cap has a narrow strip of greener field-grey wool to the bottom edge. The interior of the cap is fully lined in brushed greyish/tan rayon. The lining has a couple of fair sized tears. The lining is well marked with the faint, black inkstamped, manufacturer’s name and location that appears to be, "Georg Teufel Tuttlingen". The lining also has a faint, black size inkstamp that has been partially obscured by one of the tears. The cap is in overall good condition with light age and usage toning and nap wear. The cap is roughly size 56.

New info added Aug 29th

-This cap is actually a Waffen-SS M43. Georg Teufel produced cap only for the SS.

Peter 

GRADE ***1/4                             PRICE $488.00