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: Nice quality field-grey wool construction cap features fold down back and side panels with a downward scalloped front edge and forward sides and two pebbled silver buttons. The 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. The front center of the cap has a machine woven national eagle in bright, silver/aluminum flat-wire threads and a national tri-color cockade in black, bright, silver/aluminum flat-wire and red threads, both mounted on a woven, blue/green, "T" shaped, rayon base. The insignia is hand stitched to the 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. Edelweiss has four small holes in the flower and one in the stem for stitching it to the cap. The cap has an extended, cloth covered, forward, visor with an internal stiffener. The interior of the cap is fully lined in gold rayon. Leather sweat band is fully intact. Roughly a size 56/57. Nice worn and used example showing the expected age and wear. Edelweiss looks to be original application while the eagle and buttons have been replaced or upgraded at some point. Scarce eagle.