Germany, Luftwaffe. An Officer’s Single-Button M43 Field Cap

(Einheitsfeldmütze M43 für Offiziere der Luftwaffe). An extremely well-preserved Luftwaffe Officer’s single-button M43 field cap, constructed of a dark blue-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 are rolled up and secured in place at the front with a pebbled aluminum button which emanates from the right flap and meets a reinforced buttonhole on the left flap. The outer edge of the crown is fully trimmed with a length of silver aluminum wire piping. Stitched onto the peak of the cap is an insignia consisting of a dark grey wool backer bearing a hand-embroidered silver-aluminum wire eagle, with physical characteristics indicating postwar replacement. It measures 70 mm (w) x 45 mm (h). Directly underneath the eagle, the cap also bears a tri-colour wire cockade with a red wool centrepiece, measuring 24 mm in diameter. Completing the exterior features is a protruding card stock-reinforced visor, fully lined in identical wool. The interior features a partial grey leather sweatband set across the forehead, and is fully encompassed by a multi-piece dark grey-blue rayon liner. It is unmarked with the exception of a black ink size mark of “57” stamped onto the crown. It measures approximately 175 mm (w) x 285 mm (l) x 145 mm (h). In addition to replacement of the eagle, the interior demonstrates minor soiling consistent with light wear, and the cap is in an overall near extremely fine condition.