German Army Officer's Visored Field Cap M43
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 20.GOR.01.01.03.01.002.000
Estimated market value:
Estimated market value:
This is an extremely well-preserved Gebirgsjäger (Mountain Troops) M43 field cap, constructed of smooth field-grey wool. The top of the cap features a band of twisted silver aluminum wire piping, indicating that the wearer received a promotion to officer and the cap was later upgraded accordingly. It features fold-down panels providing optional neck protection which, when not in use, are held together at the front of the cap by two pebbled, silvered, magnetic metal buttons. Pinned into the left panel is an insignia, constructed of silvered bronze, consisting of an ice pick around which is wrapped an edelweiss. The pin is unmarked and measures 30 mm (w) x 64 mm (h). The peak of the cap bears an insignia in the form of a machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire Wehrmacht-style German national eagle and tri-coloured cockade, set on a green rayon backer measuring 60 mm (w) x 45 mm (h). The cap also features a protruding cardboard-reinforced visor, securely integrated with the body. The interior bears a brown leather sweatband covering the forehead area, with an embossed stamp of “QUALITÄTS MARKE”. There is a complete dark grey rayon liner with a silky finish. The cap is unmarked and measures approximately 198 mm (w) x 250 mm (l) x 120 mm (h). The cardboard visor reinforcement has cracked and there is a small tear to the sweatband, but the cap is in an otherwise extremely 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.
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