Germany, SS. A Waffen-SS EM/NCO’s Dual Insignia M43 Field Cap

(Waffen-SS Einheitsfeldmütze M43 für Mannschaften). An extremely well-preserved example of a privately-purchased Waffen-SS EM/NCO’s M43 field cap. Constructed of a field-grey composite fabric twill, the cap is fully surrounded by fold-down side panels which are scalloped toward 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 field-grey non-magnetic metal buttons emanating from the right panel, in turn meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes in the left panel. Stitched onto the peak of the cap is an insignia consisting of a black rayon backer bearing a machine-embroidered, silver-grey, SS-style Totenkopf measuring 34 mm (w) x 35 mm (h) overall. Stitched onto the left side of the panels is an additional insignia consisting of a black rayon backer bearing a machine-embroidered, silver-grey, SS-style German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, measuring 65 mm (w) x 30 mm (h) overall. Crudely applied, the eagle demonstrates excess material which has not been folded under as more typically seen from BeVo-style examples. Completing the exterior features is a protruding card stock-reinforced visor, fully lined in identical fabric. The interior is fully encompassed by a multi-piece slate-grey herringbone twill (HBT) rayon liner, which presents plain with the exception of a size mark of “56” stamped onto the crown in black ink. Otherwise unmarked, the cap measures approximately 20 cm (w) x 25.5 cm (l) x 14 cm (h). Demonstrating only minute signs of material wear, this cap is in an overall near mint condition.