Germany, SS. A Waffen-SS Infantry Field-Grade Officer's M43 Field Cap

(Waffen-SS Einheitsfeldmütze M43 für Männer der Infanterie). An extremely well-preserved Waffen-SS Infantry Field-Grade Officer's M43 cap, constructed of field-grey gabardine wool. The crown is fully trimmed with a length of white woven piping securely set into the body of the cap. It features fold-down side panels, with frontal scalloping, offering optional ear and neck protection to the wearer. When not in use, the panels are rolled up and secured in place with two pebbled magnetic metal buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. Stitched onto the peak of the cap is an insignia consisting of a field-grey trapezoidal rayon base bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey SS-style German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, above a SS-style Totenkopf. The insignia measures 60 mm (w) x 48 mm (h) overall. Completing the exterior features is a protruding cardboard-reinforced visor, with a brown leather sweatband securely stitched onto the back, covering the wearer’s forehead. An embossed inscription of “QUALITÄTS MARKE” (“QUALITY MARK”) is stamped onto the centre of the sweatband, while an olive-drab cotton-blended liner fully encompasses the interior. A black ink size mark of “55” is stamped onto the interior crown. The cap is otherwise unmarked and measures approximately 195 mm (w) x 280 mm (l) x 120 mm (h). Minor material fatigue is evident to the wool, but the cap is in an overall extremely fine condition.