Germany, Heer. A Gebirgsjäger EM/NCO’s Bergmütze, by Schmidt Socks

(Heer Bergmütze). An extremely well-preserved Heer Gebirgsjäger EM/NCO’s Bergmütze (Mountain 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 pebbled and grey-painted magnetic metal buttons which emanate from the right flap and meet an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. The crown is flanked on each side by a ventilation hole reinforced with a magnetic metal grommet. Stitched onto the left side of the panels is an insignia consisting of a magnetic metal edelweiss, complete with a gilded stamen, measuring 50 mm (w) x 40 mm (h), and secured in place with stitched set through five integral holes distributed throughout the badge. The cap features a classic high peak stitched with an additional insignia consisting of a T-shaped field-grey rayon base bearing a machine-embroidered tri-colour cockade, in turn topped by a silver-grey Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, measuring 62 mm (w) x 45 mm (h). Completing the exterior features is a quintessential shortened visor with a card stock core, fully lined in an identical field-grey wool. The interior features a brown leather sweatband secured stitched in place across the forehead, and is encompassed by a multi-piece olive-drab cotton liner. Stamped onto the crown in black ink is a maker’s mark of “SCHMIDT SOCKS MÜTZENFABRIK, SCHLICHTESTRASSE 25-29, BURLADINGEN-HAUSEN”, topped by a size mark of “57”, and above a manufacture date of “1944”. The cap measures approximately 205 mm (w) x 250 mm (l) x 150 mm (h). Demonstrating no evident wear or damage, this superb late-war Bergmütze is in an overall extremely fine condition.