BACKGROUND: Land based Navy personnel, primarily Coastal Artillery members, were issued field-grey uniforms and headgear as early as 1921. The use of the field-grey garments continued through-out the Weimar Reichsmarine era and on into the Third Reich period. Originally the M43 field cap was introduced for wear by all ranks in the German army 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. Following the army’s lead the Kriegsmarine adopted the M43 field cap for wear by naval personnel wearing field-grey uniforms, on September 1^ST 1943. Officers holding the ranks of Leutnant zur See up to and including Grossadmiral ranks, were distinguished from EM/NCO’s ranks by the addition of gilt piping, (Silver piping for Administrative Officials), to be applied around the outer crown edge of the M43 cap. Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and headgear and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the OKK, Offizier Kleiderkasse der Kriegsmarine, (Officer’s Clothing Account of the Navy). Although enlisted personnel were issued their uniforms and headgear from government supplies they were also permitted to purchase privately tailored items although the price may have been restrictive. Generally speaking officers bought nice quality, private purchase, uniform items but they could also choose to buy their uniforms directly from the military clothing depots. Of Note: The MVBl, Marineverordnungsblatt (Official Naval List), listed the introduction date of this type of cap as September 1^ST 1943 and used the designation Feldmütze 42. Due to the time period it is speculated that the introductory date actually referred to the M43 cap.

GRADE ****                             PRICE $598.00