History

In 1943, the third pattern of the Field Cap, the M43 Field Cap, was introduced. The cap, also known as the “Einheitsfeldmütze,” was modelled after the popular Bergmütze.

The M43 Field Cap for Officers was produced out of tricot or finely napped wool and featured aluminium piping around the crown. In 1944, the aluminium piping for Officers was replaced with white piping.

The M43 features the same woven eagle and skull insignia as the previous patterns of the field caps. Officer’s insignia was produced using aluminium wire and the insignia for NCO/EMs (non-commissioned officers/enliste men) was produced using silver-gray thread.

Early versions of the cap feature a two-button flap closure, and the skull insignia was attached to the front, with the eagle sewed on to the left side. Caps with a single button often feature both insignia on the front.

In 1943, a one-piece eagle and skull insignia was introduced to simplify production.

Due to the late period of issue, there is a great deal of variety in these caps, particularly in terms of material.

In 1943, a single button version of the cap was produced to simplify the manufacturing process, but caps with two buttons continued to be produced until the end of the war.

Some field caps that were produced near the end of the war do not feature a cloth layer on the underside of the visor, as materials were in short supply.

A black version of the M43 was issued to Panzer troops. In April 1945, a large quantity of these black caps was found by American soldiers at the supply depot in Dachau and they were taken back to the United States as souvenirs.