Germany, Luftwaffe. An Enlisted/NCO’s M43 Field Cap

(Luftwaffe Einheitsfeldmütze M43). A well-preserved Luftwaffe Enlisted/NCO’s M43 field cap, constructed of dark blue-grey wool. The cap is fully surrounded by fold-down side panels, scalloped at the front, providing optional ear and neck protection to the wearer. When not in use, the panels are rolled up and secured in place at the front with two pebbled and grey-painted zink buttons emanating from the right flap and meeting dual reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. Stitched onto the peak of the cap is an insignia consisting of a trapezoidal dark blue-grey wool backer bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey Luftwaffe eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, just above a tri-colour cockade. The peak insignia measures 68 mm (w) x 48 mm (h). Completing the exterior features is a protruding visor with a card stock core reinforcement, fully lined in identical wool. A light brown leather sweatband is set across the forehead, while the interior is also fully encompassed by a multi-piece blue-grey rayon liner. Stamped onto the crown in black ink is a Reichsbetriebsnummer (RBNr) of “2/0125/0” for an unidentified manufacturer commonly associated with Luftwaffe headgear, set just above a size mark of “57”. It measures approximately 210 mm (w) x 250 mm (l) x 120 mm (h). Minor issues consistent with age and light usage are evident, and include some exterior soiling, a central crack to the visor core, and additional minor soiling of the interior liner. The cap is in an overall near extremely fine condition.