Germany, Heer. A Gebirgsjäger Officer’s Upgraded M43 Field Cap

(Einheitsfeldmütze M43 für Offizier der Gebirgstruppe). A very well-preserved Heer Gebirgsjäger Officer’s M43 field cap, constructed of a high-quality field-grey cotton/wool blend. The cap is fully surrounded by fold-down side panels, scalloped at the front, offering 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 magnetic metal buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. Stitched onto the left side of the panels is a classic Gebirgsjäger insignia consisting of a magnetic metal edelweiss with a gilt stamen, measuring 53 mm (w) x 40 mm (h). Notably, the right side of the panels features a Gebirgsjäger traditions badge in the form of a finely-detailed bone edelweiss, fixed in place with a vertical pinback and measuring 33 mm (w) x 30 mm (h). The edge of the crown is fully trimmed with a length of field-applied twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire piping, indicating post-manufacture conversion to Officer status from a previous EM/NCO rank. Stitched onto the peak of the cap is an insignia consisting of a T-shaped field-grey rayon backer, in turn bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika above a tri-colour cockade. The peak insignia measures 50 mm (w) x 42 mm (h). Completing the exterior features is a protruding cardboard-reinforced visor, fully lined in identical wool. The lower edge of the interior is surrounded by an intact brown leather sweatband, while the interior is also encompassed by a field-grey rayon liner which reveals light interior padding. It measures approximately 170 mm (w) x 280 mm (l) x 130 mm (h). In addition to the crude application of the crown piping, the cardboard visor reinforcement has been cracked in the centre. It is in an overall near extremely fine condition.