Germany, Kriegsmarine. A Coastal Artillery EM/NCO’s M43 Field Cap
(Kriegsmarine Einheitsfeldmütze M43 für Männer der Küstenartillerie). An extremely well-preserved Kriegsmarine Coastal Artillery EM/NCO’s M43 field cap, constructed of field-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 two gilded magnetic metal buttons, each bearing a raised fouled anchor, which emanate from the right panel and meet an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left panel. Stitched onto the peak are dual insignia, with the top consisting of a field-grey rayon backer bearing a machine-embroidered lemon-yellow Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, set above a second field-grey rayon backer bearing a tri-colour cockade. The insignia have been applied to the cap with a near-seamless connection to give the appearance of a one-piece example, and measure 70 mm (w) x 52 mm (h) overall. Completing the exterior features is a protruding card stock-reinforced visor, fully lined in identical wool. The interior is encompassed by a multi-piece grey cotton/rayon-blended liner. Stamped onto the crown in black ink is a Reichsbetriebsnummer (RBNr.) of “9/0007/5507” for an unidentified manufacturer, as well as a size mark of “55”. The cap measures approximately 20 cm (w) x 27 mm (l) x 13.5 cm (h). A small patch of material fatigue is visible to the edge of the crown near the left front side, but the cap demonstrates no other damage or issues and is in an extremely fine condition.

