HJ M43 Feldmütze Field Cap Dated 1943

Product Description: This HJ M43 Feldmütze Field Cap is a great-looking wartime piece. This cap was intended for wear by members of the Hitlerjugend (Hitler Youth). The body of the cap is made of gray, worsted wool gabardine cloth, with zinc ventilation grommets on both sides. The visor of the cap is reinforced with cardboard, and covered with matching wool fabric. The turn-down flap is joined in the front by a single gray plastic button. The front of the cap is adorned with the diamond-shaped organizational emblem of the Hitlerjugend. This emblem is Bevo machine woven, and is factory machine stitched to the cap. The interior of this HJ M43 Feldmütze Field Cap shows only slight wear. The forehead area features a partial leather sweatband like that used on officer-style caps. The cap has a gray rayon lining, with a stitched RZM tag indicating “Mütze für HJ-DJ” (Cap for HJ-DJ). The lining is stamped with black ink with the RB number manufacturer code “0/0629/0003,” the year “43” and size “54.” This is a tough M43 cap to find. The condition rates as excellent plus.

Historical Description: 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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