Germany, SS. A Waffen-SS Officer’s M43 Field Cap

(Waffen-SS Einheitsfeldmütze M43 für Offizier). An exceptionally well-preserved Waffen-SS Officer’s M43 field cap, constructed of field-grey gabardine 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 roll up and secure in place at the front with two pebbled magnetic metal buttons which emanate from the right panel and meet reinforced buttonholes on the left. The outer edge of the crown is trimmed with a length of white wool piping. Stitched onto the peak is an insignia consisting of a field-grey rayon trapezoidal backer bearing a machine-embroidered, silver-grey, SS-style Totenkopf, topped by an SS-style German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika. The insignia measures 50 mm (w) x 42 mm (h) overall. The exterior features are completed with a protruding card stock-reinforced visor, fully lined in identical wool. A grey leather sweatband extends across the forehead, while the interior is fully encompassed by a multi-piece grey herringbone twill (HBT) rayon liner. Stamped onto the crown in black ink is a size mark of “56”. Otherwise unmarked, the cap measures approximately 21 cm (w) x 25.5 cm (l) x 13 cm (h). The centre of the visor core demonstrates some bending, but shows no consequent cracking, and the cap remains in an overall extremely fine condition.