Germany, SS. A Waffen-SS EM/NCO’s M43 Field Cap, Italian-Made by Berven

(Waffen-SS Einheitsfeldmütze M43 für Mannschaften). A scarce and extremely well-preserved Waffen-SS 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 roll up and secure in place at the front with two pebbled zink buttons which emanate from the right flap and meet 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 wool trapezoid bearing a machine-embroidered, silver-grey, SS-style Totenkopf with details highlighted in black threading, topped by an SS-style German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika. The peak insignia measures 65 mm (w) x 45 mm (h) and retains its factory-original zig-zag stitching. The exterior features are completed with a protruding card stock-reinforced visor, fully lined in exterior wool. A multi-piece grey cotton/rayon blended liner encompasses the interior. The crown bears a black ink maker’s mark of “BERVEN-PADOVA” (Padua), indicating a late-war Italian-made example. A size mark of “56” is situated just below the maker’s mark. The cap measures approximately 20 cm (w) x 25 cm (l) x 12.5 cm (h). Minor soiling is visible to the interior liner, but the cap demonstrates no notable damage or wear and is in an extremely fine condition.