Germany, Heer. A Panzer EM/NCO’s M43 Field Cap, Named and United-Attributed Example

(Heer Einheitsfeldmütze M43 für Männer der Panzertruppe). A superb and extremely well-preserved Heer Panzer EM/NCO’s M43 field cap, constructed of black wool. The cap is fully surrounded by fold-down side panels, 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 blackened, pebbled, zink buttons which emanate from the right panel and meet an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left panel. Stitched onto the peak is an insignia consisting of a black rayon backer arranged in a T-shape, bearing a machine-embroidered tri-colour cockade topped by a silver-grey Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika. The peak insignia measures 60 mm (w) x 45 mm (h) overall. A protruding visor completes the exterior features, and consists of a sturdy card stock core fully lined in identical wool. The interior is encompassed by a multi-piece grey cotton/rayon-blended liner. The crown retains a fully-intact lable bearing a typewritten owner’s name of “C. R. BRANDT”, with a unit attribution of “5. PZ. AUSB. KP.” (5. PANZER-AUSBILDUNGS KOMPANIE, possibly indicating Panzer-Ausbildungs-Abteilung 5), situated above a size stamp of “57”. The cap measures approximately 19 cm (w) x 28 cm (l) x 15 cm (h). Minor material fatigue and soiling consistent with field wear are visible to the exterior wool and interior liner, respectively, but the cap remains in an overall extremely fine condition.