Germany, Heer. A Panzer EM/NCO’s M43 Field Cap

(Heer Einheitsfeldmütze M43 für Männer der Panzertruppe). A very well-preserved Heer Panzer EM/NCO’s M43 field cap, constructed of black wool twill. The cap is fully surrounded by fold-down side panels, scalloped at the front, providing optional ear and neck protection to the wearer. They are reinforced along with seams with double rows of machine stitching. When not in use, the panels are rolled up and secured in place at the front with two black-painted zink buttons emanating from the right panel meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left panel. Stitched onto the peak is a classic triangular insignia consisting of a black rayon base overlaid by a machine-embroidered silver-grey Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, just above a tri-colour cockade. The peak insignia measures 55 mm (w) x 45 mm (h). Completing the exterior features is a protruding cardboard-reinforced visor, fully lined in identical wool. The interior is encompassed by a light grey cotton-blended twill liner, stamped on the crown with a Reichsbetriebsnummer of “1/0450/0272”, a size of “57”, and a manufacture date of “1944”. The cap measures approximately 190 mm (w) x 265 mm (l) x 140 mm (h). The cardboard visor reinforcement has been cracked in the centre and there is minor soiling visible to the interior liner. This late-war cap is in an otherwise near extremely fine condition.