Germany, Heer. A Late-War EM/NCO’s M43 Field Cap

(Heer Einheitsfeldmütze M43). An extremely well-preserved, late-war example of a Heer 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 with two pebbled zink buttons emanating from the right flap and 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 cotton trapezoid bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, just above a tri-colour cockade. The eagle insignia measures 64 mm (w) x 45 mm (h) overall. Completing the exterior features is a protruding cardboard-reinforced visor, fully lined in identical wool. A multi-piece grey rayon liner encompasses the interior, with the crown bearing a stamped black ink Reichsbetriebsnummer of “0/0062/0143” for an unidentified manufacturer, with a size mark of “57”. It measures approximately 210 mm (w) x 260 mm (l) x 120 mm (h). Minor issues consistent with age and light usage are evident, and include a central crack to the visor core and moderate interior soiling. The cap is in an overall extremely fine condition.