Heer General M43 Cap

Product Description: We are pleased to be able to offer this fantastic and extremely rare Heer General M43 Cap. It’s a top quality, tailor made piece, made of the finest materials, as would befit an officer of this rank. The exterior is made of a finely woven doeskin wool in a very appealing light feldgrau shade. The smooth, fine nap of the wool surface is intact, and the cap shows only a very light, mild age patina. There is no moth damage (or any other kind of damage) at all anywhere on the exterior.  The crown of this beautiful cap piped with metallic gold piping, indicating General rank, and the two buttons have a gold finish, and are affixed with prongs. The front of the cap still retains the original insignia that have always been present. The eagle is an early one, with beautiful highlights to the original gold finish. The cockade is metal, multi-piece construction. Inside, this outstanding Heer General M43 Cap is lined with a dark teal rayon lining that shows no damage. The gray leather sweatband is intact, with very minor wear to the original surface. The celluloid sweatshield has fallen out, and there is no maker mark. This extremely desirable field cap could be a collection centerpiece. The condition of this one rates as excellent.

Historical Description:  Model 1943 Field Caps: Prior to WWII, all branches of the German military issued their soldiers a field cap in the traditional “side cap” style (there were other types of field caps for certain specialized units). This type of field cap, called “little boat” (Schiffchen) by the troops, was found to be inadequate in the harsh extreme cold weather conditions on the Eastern Front in the brutal winter of 1941-42. As a result, in 1942, some units started issuing a type of field cap that had flaps and a button closure that could be folded down and fastened under the wearer’s chin, to provide protection to the ears. This type of cap, known as the M42, saw limited issue and was replaced a year later with a new model field cap, the Einheitsfeldmütze, that was intended to be issued to all branches. This final model of Wehrmacht field cap, which collectors have termed the M43, was based on the cap that had originally been issued to Wehrmacht mountain troops and featured the fold down ear flaps, as well as a visor. These caps were made out of wool and were intended for year-round wear in all regions where tropical uniforms were not issued. The caps were apparently very popular, as they very quickly replaced the earlier models on the heads of the troops in the field. By 1944 this was the most commonly seen field cap in combat units. These caps remained popular after the war, and many had their insignia removed and were worn out and discarded.

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