*Germany, WWII, M43 “Feldmütze” Cold Weather Field Cap, Fur-Lined Neck Flaps, Size 57*
An original Second World War German M43 “Feldmütze” (Einheitsfeldmütze) field cap constructed in blue-grey wool cloth and fitted with fur-lined neck flaps for winter wear. The cap follows the standard form of the M43 field cap introduced in 1943, with a short visor and folding side panels secured by two front buttons, allowing the flaps to be lowered and fastened beneath the chin in cold weather.
The body of the cap is made from blue-grey wool cloth displaying a slight greenish cast, a colour variation often encountered in wartime German uniform cloth. The crown is edged with light silver-grey piping indicating officer rank. The visor retains its correct stitched construction and shape, while the front closure is secured by two pebbled metal buttons. The side panels extend to form a wrap-around ear and neck guard which, when lowered, provide additional protection against wind and cold.
The interior of the ear and neck flaps is lined with brown fur, most likely rabbit or similar material, providing additional insulation. The interior crown is lined in tan cotton cloth and stamped with the size marking 57. Construction is entirely cloth without leather components, consistent with wartime field cap manufacture where leather was increasingly restricted due to material shortages. The seams retain their original bias binding and period construction details.
The front of the cap shows faint ghosting consistent with the former presence of insignia. A circular area of wear approximately 4 cm in diameter corresponds to the likely position of a national cockade, while faint stitch traces above suggest where an eagle was previously fitted. The blue-grey cloth colour, together with this ghosting pattern, may indicate that the cap originally carried Luftwaffe insignia. However, as the insignia are no longer present, branch attribution cannot be stated with certainty.
Approx. Measurements – Size: 57.
History Note
The M43 field cap (Einheitsfeldmütze) was introduced in 1943 as a universal field cap intended to replace earlier patterns such as the M34 overseas cap. Designed for practicality and ease of manufacture, it featured a short visor and folding side flaps which could be lowered and secured beneath the chin during cold weather. Variants of the cap were produced for all branches of the German armed forces, with differences primarily in cloth colour and insignia.
During the war, particularly in the severe winter conditions encountered on the Eastern Front, soldiers and officers sometimes modified standard field caps to improve insulation. The fur lining present in the ear and neck flaps of this example likely represents such a period cold-weather adaptation rather than a standard factory configuration.
*Condition*
The cap remains in good overall condition for its age. The wool exterior shows normal wear, light surface marks, and minor fading consistent with age and service use. The visor remains firm and correctly shaped. Both front buttons remain present and functional. The interior cotton lining is intact with the size marking still visible. The fur lining to the ear and neck flaps remains present though slightly worn with age. Some light fraying and minor wear are visible to seam edges and buttonholes. The original insignia are no longer present, although faint stitching traces remain visible on the front. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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