Germany, Heer. An Early Gebirgsjäger NCO/Officer’s Bergmütze

(Bergmütze für Offizier der Gebirgsjäger). An early and extremely well-preserved Heer Gebirgsjäger NCO/Officer’s Bergmütze, constructed of field-grey wool twill. The cap is fully surrounded by fold-down side panels, scalloped at the front, offering optional ear and neck protection for the wearer. When not in use, the panels are rolled up and secured in place with two brown bakelite buttons on the right panel meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left. The left panel also features an insignia consisting of a magnetic metal edelweiss with a central six-bulbed gilt stamen. Measuring 55 mm (w) x 40 mm (h), it features a dark green wool backer and is affixed to the cap with four holes with hand stitching, with additional stitched reinforcements along the stem. The cap is flanked on each side by a single ventilation hole, both reinforced with a zink grommet. Stitched onto the peak of the cap is an insignia consisting of a T-shaped dark green rayon backer bearing a machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, above a tri-colour cockade. The insignia measures 60 mm (w) x 46 mm (h). Completing the exterior features is a protruding cardboard-reinforced visor, fully lined with field-grey wool. The interior features a grey leather sweatband fully surrounding the circumference of the rim, secured in place with a row of machine stitching. A grey, cotton-blended, multi-piece liner fully encompasses the interior, while the peak bears an integrated and reinforced loop, maintaining the structural integrity of the peak. The crown is stamped with a black ink size mark of “57”, but the cap is otherwise unmarked. It measures approximately 210 mm (w) x 250 mm (l) x 145 mm (h). Minor material fatigue is evident to the sweatband, but the cap is otherwise free of evident faults and is in a near mint condition.