BACKGROUND: The Mountain cap was originally introduced in the early 1930's, and based on the caps worn by Austrian Mountain troops in WWI. The cap was designed for wear by Mountain, Ski and Jäger personnel. From its inception the Bergmütze had no readily identifiable rank indicator although the buttons were to be silver for Officer’s and gilt for General Officer’s. Regulations of October 1942 introduced silver/aluminum or gold piping to the top crown edge as a rank indicator. Although very similar to the M43, these Bergmütze where issued in considerably smaller quantities and are more scarce.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Field-grey, wool/rayon construction cap features fold down back and side panels with scalloped front edge and forward sides, held in the upward position at the front by two small mid-brown moulded bakelite buttons. Back and side panels were designed to be folded down to protect the wearers ears and neck and the scalloped front section could be secured with the buttons closed under the wearers chin. Buttons are ornamental, so the flap will not fold down (private purchase variant). Cap has a short cloth covered visor. Front center of cap features a machine woven, combined, national eagle in matte grey threads and national tri-color cockade on a woven green rayon, "T" shaped base. Insignia is handstitched to cap. Left side panel of cap has a 1939 pattern, silver washed, stamped alloy edelweiss with nine petals, two leaves, single stem and separate, gilt washed, stamen attached by two bent over prongs. Interior of cap is fully lined in light weight grey cotton/rayon. Size marked 53 with a faint makers mark. Original sweatband is present. Saw loads of period use and wear. Nice salty example.