German Army Panzer Officer's Visored Field Cap M43
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 20.GOR.01.01.03.02.002.000
Estimated market value:
Estimated market value:
Germany, Heer. A Panzer Officer’s M43 Field Cap
(Heer Einheitsfeldmütze M43 für Offizier der Panzertruppe). A rare Heer Panzer Officer’s M43 field cap, constructed of black whipcord wool. It is surrounded by fold-down side panels, scalloped at the front, offering optional ear and neck protection to the wearer. When not in use, the panels are rolled up and secured in place with two black bakelite buttons which emanate from the right flap and meet an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. The crown is fully trimmed along the exterior edge with a band of silver aluminum wire piping. Stitched onto the peak is an insignia consisting of a black rayon trapezoid bearing a machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, above a tricolor cockade. The insignia measures 55 mm (w) x 45 mm (h) overall. Completing the exterior features is a protruding cardboard-reinforced visor, fully lined in identical black whipcord wool. The interior features a brown leather sweatband measuring 25 mm in width, and is also fully encompassed by a black rayon liner. The cap is fully unmarked and measures approximately 190 mm (w) x 260 mm (l) x 140 mm (h). Issues consistent with age and field use are evident, and include some deterioration of the silver wire features, a crack to the centre of the visor core, and soiling and fatigue of the sweatband. This experienced cap is in an overall very fine condition.
The Visored Field Cap M43 was introduced on June 11, 1943 and became the standard cap for all troops. It was also known as the Einheitsfeldmütze (standard field cap). The cut is the same as that of the “Bergmütze” (mountain cap), albeit with a longer visor, and it has the same design for flaps, which are affixed by two buttons at the front and could be lowered to cover the face in the form of a balaclava.
The cap was made of cotton and cellulose fibre, but in comparison to the earlier field cap model it was made of 70 to 90 percent cellulose fibre, making the material more coarse. On occasion this cap will have ventilations holes, just like the earlier models, but most were produced without any due to easier fabrication.
Enlisted men and NCOs wore no piping on their caps. Piping was silver-coloured for army and administrative officers, and gold-coloured for general ranks and administrative equivalents.
The buttons were grey for enlisted men and NCOs, made of pebbled aluminum for officers, and gilt for generals.
The embroidered insignia, the red, white, and black cockade in a wreath of oak leaves and the national eagle above it, usually came on a one-piece grey-green trapezium. It was made with silver-coloured wire for officer ranks.
The versions will significantly differ in weight depending on climate and local conditions.
The term M(odel) 43 has been given to this piece of headgear by collectors and has no official character.
Members of Panzer troops wore a very similar cap, however theirs was black.
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