Germany, SS. A Late-War Waffen-SS Officer’s M43 Field Cap

(Einheitsfeldmütze M43 für Offizier der Waffen-SS). An extremely well-preserved Waffen-SS Officer’s M43 field cap, constructed of a field-grey wool/tricot blend. The cap is fully surrounded by fold-down side panels, scalloped at the front, providing optional ear and neck protection to the wearer. The panels are reinforced along the upper edge with double rows of machine stitching. When not in use, they are rolled up and secured in place at the front with two pebbled magnetic metal buttons emanating from the right flap and meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. Trimming the crown is a length of white wool piping, substituted for the silver aluminum wire formerly indicating Officer status. Stitched onto the pak is a trapezoidal insignia consisting of a field-grey rayon base overlaid by a machine-embroidered SS-style German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, just above a Totenkopf. The peak insignia measures 60 mm (w) x 50 mm (h) and is affixed in a classic style with the top row of stitching hidden. Completing the exterior features is a protruding cardboard-reinforced visor, fully lined in identical cloth. The interior is encompassed by a silver-grey herringbone twill (HBT) liner, stamped on the crown with a black ink size mark of “56” and an additional mark of “W”. It measures approximately 205 mm (w) x 260 mm (l) x 120 mm (h). With the exception of only minor patches of material fatigue, the cap is in an overall extremely fine condition.