Germany, Ordnungspolizei. An EM/NCO’s M43 Cap, by Bayerische Mützenfrabik
(Ordnungspolizei Einheitsfeldmütze M43). An extremely well-preserved Ordnungspolizei EM/NCO’s M43 cap, constructed of field-grey wool twill. The cap is fully surrounded by fold-down side panels with frontal scalloping, providing optional neck and ear protection for the wearer. When not in use, the panels are secured together at the front by 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 hexagonal field-grey rayon backer bearing dual insignia. The former includes an Ordnungspolizei insignia in the form of a machine-embroidered silver-grey oval oak leaf wreath, overlaid by a German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika. The eagle is in turn topped by a machine-embroidered tri-colour cockade, with the insignia measuring 42 mm (w) x 55 mm (h). A protruding cardboard-reinforced visor completes the cap’s exterior features. The interior is fully encompassed by an intact field-grey cotton-blended liner. Stamped onto the crown in black ink is a maker’s mark of “BAYER. MÜTZEN FAB. MÜNCHEN”, with a date of “M/44”, as well as a Reichsbetriebsnummer of “0/0850/0387”. An additional size stamp of “56” appears below the maker’s mark. The cap measures approximately 195 mm (w) x 260 mm (l) x 130 mm (h). Displaying only minor material fatigue, including a central crack to the cardboard visor reinforcement, the cap is in an overall extremely fine condition.

