Germany, Heer. An EM/NCO’s M43 Field Cap, by Hermann Potthoff

(Einheitsmütze M43). A very well-preserved Heer EM/NCO’s M43 field cap, constructed of field-grey wool twill. The cap is fully surrounded by fold-down side panels, with frontal scalloping, offering optional ear and neck protection for the wearer. When not in use, the panels are rolled up and secured in place with two grey bakelite buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. Stitched onto the peak is an insignia consisting of a field-grey rayon trapezoid bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, above a tricolour cockade. The insignia measures 54 mm (w) x 42 mm (h). A protruding cardboard-reinforced visor completes the exterior features, fully lined with field-grey wool twill. The interior is fully encompassed by a dark grey cotton-blended multi-piece liner. Stamped onto the crown in black ink is a size mark of “57”, a manufacture date of “1944”, and a Reichsbetriebsnummer of “0/0520/0017” indicating manufacture by Hermann Potthoff, Coesfeld. The cap measures approximately 190 mm (w) x 260 mm (l) x 150 mm (h). Minor issues consistent with age and field use are evident, and include some material fatigue to high-contact points of the wool, as well as some cracking of the cardboard visor reinforcement. It is in an overall near extremely fine condition.