Austria, Waffen-SS. An M43-Style Austrian Waffen-SS Field Cap

(Waffen-SS Einheitsfeldmütze). This is a well-preserved Finnish-style Waffen-SS M43 field cap constructed of field grey wool with a rayon-blended interior liner. The cap is ringed by a decorative fold-down panel that is held in place by stitching on the right and is secured through a machine-stitched wool loop at the front. The visor is constructed of a double layer of wool with interior reinforcement. Above the loop sits a trapezoid green rayon patch stitched into the wool, which bears a machine-embroidered “Parteiadler” (Party Eagle) featuring an eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, as well as a Waffen-SS “Totenkopf” (dead’s head) insignia. The patch measures 54 mm (w) x 44 mm (h), while the cap measures approximately 274 mm x 172 mm, with a height of 89 mm. The cap displays evidence of wear from use, including moderate soiling of the interior liner, severing of the stitch holding the flap in place on the left, and minor fatigue to the embroidery of the trapezoid logo near the Totenkopf. There is also a metallic pin fitted through the left side of the cap which appears to have formerly held in place a decoration. The cap is otherwise intact and presents in an overall very fine condition.