German WW2 Luftwaffe EM/NCO's M43 combat cap

German WW2 Luftwaffe EM/NCO's M43 combat cap

Standard M43 Luftwaffe field cap ‘Einheitsfeldmütze’.

Good quality and well preserved blue Luftwaffe M43 cap.

The exterior shows only very light wear, and has a nice, even patina, with just very faint inset dust and soiling from wear.

The two closure buttons on the front flap are originally sewn and have some wear to the paint.

Has a set of original national insignia period applied in zig-zag stitching on the front of the cap.

The cockade is hard to see if hand or machine sewn.

The stiff board inside the visor has been folded and separated to get the correct look, this was very common that the soldiers did. There is no visual damage to be seen and and will look perfect on display.

This Luftwaffe M43 cap is rayon lined, as is typical for field caps from this period. The lining shows some typical discoloration from wear around its lower edges.

Maker marked by RBNr. 0/2009/0004, size marked 60 and dated 1944.

The number indicate that it was manufactured by the company  “Almi” Unlform- u. Mützenfabrlk. lnh. Alfred Miss, Luxemburg , Herstellung v. Uniformen und Mützen aller Art.

These untouched caps are getting very difficult to find nowadays!

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.