Germany, SS. A Late-War Waffen-SS EM/NCO’s M43 Field Cap

(Waffen-SS Einheitsfeldmütze M43 für Mannschaften). A well-preserved, late-war Waffen-SS EM/NCO’s M43 field cap, constructed of a coarse 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 roll up and secure in place at the front with two field-grey non-magnetic metal buttons which emanate from the right panel and meet an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left side. Stitched onto the peak is an insignia consisting of a field-grey trapezoid bearing a machine-embroidered, silver-grey, SS-style Totenkopf, topped by an SS-style German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika. The peak insignia measures 55 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 multi-piece grey cotton herringbone twill (HBT) liner encompasses the interior. Stamped onto the crown is a black ink size mark of “57”, topped by a code of “371/44”. The cap measures approximately 20 cm (w) x 25 cm (l) x 13 cm (h). Demonstrating only minor material fatigue, this unusual late-war example is in an extremely fine condition.