BACKGROUND: Originally introduced in the German army on June 11TH 1943 the M43 field cap was intended as a replacement cap for the other field caps then in use, and was adopted for wear in the Waffen-SS on October 1ST 1943. 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 Officer’s version of the M43 field cap was issued with white piping for the ranks of SS-Untersturmführer to SS-Standartenführer while the caps for the ranks of SS-Oberführer to Reichsführer-SS, were piped in silver/aluminum piping. 

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Field-grey wool/rayon blend construction cap with a whipcord weave features fold down back and side panels with a scalloped front edge and forward sides and dual small, pebbled, magnetic sheet metal button retainers. The back and side panels were designed to be folded down to protect the wearers ears and neck and the scalloped front section could be secured with the buttons closed under the wearers chin. The top edge of the crown is trimmed in white wool piping. The front center of the cap has a machine woven, 1934 pattern, SS-Totenkopf, (Death’s Head), in pearl grey threads on a cut-out black rayon base. The Totenkopf is neatly handstitched to the cap. The left hand side fold down panel has a machine woven, 1936 pattern SS style national eagle in silver/grey threads on a cut-out black rayon base. The eagle is also hand stitched to the cap. Insignia is most probably restored to the cap. Near the right rear section of the fold down flap is a torn section that has been sewn/repaired. The cap has a fabric covered forward visor with an internal cardboard stiffener, a small raised lip to the top of the forward edge and a row of reinforcement stitching to the bottom of the forward edge. The interior of the cap is fully lined in grey rayon. The lining shows light age and usage soiling. The cap is in overall good condition with light age and usage toning. Nice large size, either a 59 or a 60.

GRADE ***                             PRICE $2,380.00