Germany, Ordnungspolizei. A Police EM/NCO’s M43 Field Cap

(Ordnungspolizei Einheitsfeldmütze M43). A well-preserved Police EM/NCO’s M43 field cap, constructed of field-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 gilded and pebbled magnetic metal buttons emanating from the right panels and meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left panel. Stitched onto the peak is an insignia consisting of an elongated hexagonal field-grey rayon backer bearing a silver-grey machine-embroidered Ordnungspolizei insignia, topped by a tri-colour cockade. The peak insignia measures 38 mm (w) x 50 mm (h) overall. Completing the exterior is a protruding cardboard-reinforced visor, fully lined in identical wool. The interior is encompassed by a multi-piece olive-drab cotton twill liner. A black ink size stamp of “55” is visible on the crown, and is set just above an illegible maker’s mark. It measures approximately 195 mm (w) x 260 mm (l) x 125 mm (h). Minor soiling and material fatigue is evident to the exterior wool, the left side of the visor core has been cracked with consequent detachment of a small piece palpable, and there is some soiling and fatigue of the interior liner. It is in an overall very fine condition.