Germany, Heer. An EM/NCO’s M43 Field Cap

(Heer Einheitsfeldmütze M43). An extremely well-preserved Heer M43 field cap, constructed of field-grey wool. It is fully surrounded by fold-down side panels, scalloped at the front, offering 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 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 rayon trapezoid bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, set just above a tri-colour cockade. The peak insignia measures 58 mm (w) x 45 mm (h). Completing the exterior features is a protruding cardboard-reinforced visor, fully lined in identical wool. The interior is fully encompassed by an intact grey rayon-cotton blended liner. A Reichsbetriebsnummer of “0/0496/0340” is stamped onto the crown, indicating construction by an unidentified Hamburg-based manufacturer, along with a manufacture date of “1943”, and a size mark of “57”. The cap measures approximately 185 mm (w) x 245 mm (l) x 140 mm (h). It is in an overall extremely fine condition.