Germany, Ordnungspolizei. A Gendarmerie EM/NCO’s M43 Field Cap

(Einheitsfeldmütze M43 für Männer der Gendarmerie). An extremely well-preserved Gendarmerie EM/NCO’s M43 field cap, constructed of classic police-style blue-grey wool. The cap is fully surrounded by fold-down side panels, scalloped at the front, which offer optional ear and neck protection for the wearer. When not in use, the panels are rolled up and secured in place at the front with dual pebbled zink buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. A band of orange wool piping trims the circumference of the crown. Stitched onto the peak of the cap is an insignia consisting of a blue-grey rayon trapezoid bearing a machine-embroidered tricolour cockade above an Ordnungspolizei insignia in the form of a German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, overlaying an oval oak leaf wreath. The insignia measures 35 mm (w) x 50 mm (h). Completing the exterior features is a protruding cardboard-reinforced visor, fully liner with blue-grey wool. A light brown leather sweatband is machine-stitched to the forehead area, while a grey rayon liner fully encompasees the interior. The former presents plain with the exception of a black ink size stamp of “58” on the crown. Measuring approximately 210 mm (w) x 270 mm (l) x 135 mm (h), the cap demonstrates only minor material fatigue, and is in an overall extremely fine condition.