Germany, Heer. An Unusual EM/NCO’s Winter Cap

(Heer Wintermütze). An unusual Heer EM/NCO’s winter cap, constructed of padded field-grey wool. The back and sides of the cap are surrounded by fold-down side panels, fully lined on the exterior with white wool and featuring ear flaps. When not in use, the panels are rolled up and secured in place at the top with two off-white cotton drawstrings tied at the crown. The forehead features an additional decorative flap of identical construction which is stitched in place. Stitched onto the peak is an insignia consisting of a dark green rayon backer bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, measuring 60 mm (w) x 30 mm (h). Directly underneath the eagle, the peak also features a tri-colour cockade constructed of multi-coloured machine embroidery on a dark green rayon backer, measuring 32 mm (w) x 32 mm (h). The interior is fully encompassed by a light grey cotton-blended liner reinforced with ribbed black stitching. Unmarked, the cap measures 295 mm (l) x 180 mm (h) when folded flat. Issues consistent with age and field use are evident, and include the loss of much of the wool along the forehead liner with patches elsewhere to the flaps, along with patches of fatigue and wear to the field-grey wool structure and some soiling of the interior liner. The unusual construction of this example possibly reflects Finnish or other Axis manufacture. It is in an overall very fine condition.