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

(Einheitsfeldmütze M43). An extremely well-preserved Heer EM/NCO’s M43 field cap, constructed of heavy field-grey wool twill. The cap is fully surrounded by fold-down side panels, scalloped at the front, 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 of the cap 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 55 mm (w) x 42 mm (h) overall. A protruding cardboard-reinforced visor completes the exterior features, and is fully lined with identical wool. The interior is encompassed by a grey rayon liner with a high sheen, the crown of which bears a black ink size stamp of “57”, a manufacture date of “1944”, and a Reichsbetriebsnummer of “0/0520/0017” indicating manufacture by Hermann Potthoff, Coesfeld. The cap measures approximately 185 mm (w) x 270 mm (l) x 140 mm (h). The cardboard visor reinforcement has been cracked in the centre, but the cap is in an otherwise near extremely fine condition.