Germany, Kriegsmarine. A Coastal Artillery EM/NCO’s M43 Field Cap, by Opolka & Müller

(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. It 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 aluminum buttons emanating from the right flap and meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. Each button bears a raised fouled anchor, and is marked on the reverse with an inscription of “KRIEGSMARINE - M - 1933”. Stitched onto the peak of the cap is an insignia consisting of a dark green rayon backer bearing a machine-embroidered golden-yellow Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, measuring 65 mm (w) x 26 mm (h). Directly beneath the eagle, the cap also bears a tri-colour rayon cockade measuring 35 mm (w) x 35 mm (h), overlapped by the former’s wreath. Completing the exterior features is a protruding cardboard-reinforced visor, fully lined in identical wool. A partial brown leather sweatband lines the forehead, and bears an illegible embossed stamp. The interior is fully encompassed by a multi-piece black rayon liner. It bears a white ink maker’s mark of “OPOLKA & MÜLLER, HAMBURG, 1943”, set just above a size mark of “57”. The cap measures approximately 195 mm (w) x 270 mm (l) x 125 mm (h). Presenting free of evident damage or wear, the cap is in an overall extremely fine condition.