BACKGROUND: The field-grey M43 field cap was originally introduced in the German army on June 11TH 1943 as a replacement cap for other field caps then in use, and adopted for wear in the Waffen-SS, (Armed-SS), on October 1ST 1943. The design of the M43 field cap was based on the earlier M42 Feldmütze, (Overseas cap), and the Mountain Troopers Bergmütze, (Mountain Cap), with minor variations. On its introduction a black version was also introduced for wear by Panzer personnel. EM/NCO ranks M43 caps were un-piped while the Officer’s version were issued with white piping for the ranks of SS-Untersturmführer to SS-Standartenführer and silver/aluminum piping for the ranks of SS-Oberführer to Reichsführer-SS, inclusively. Generally the early versions of the M43 cap came with a two button front retainer while the later versions reduced it to a single button. SS Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and headgear and as a result the SS established the SS-Kleiderkasse, (Clothing Account), system in Munich in 1935. The Officers and certain senior NCO’s were allotted a one time clothing allowance from the government with the amount varying depending on the individuals rank. The Officers and certain senior NCO’s could choose to purchase privately tailored garments and headgear of higher quality although the price may have been restrictive. With the rapid expansion of the Waffen-SS after the outbreak of the war the SS-Kleiderkasse also expanded to include no fewer then nine main offices with offices located in some of the occupied countries including, Poland, Norway, France, Czechoslovakia and Russia.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Nice quality, black, wool/rayon blend construction cap features fold down back and side panels with scalloped front edge and forward sides and two, small, bakelite 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 features a 1934 pattern, machine woven Totenkopf in silvery/grey threads with black accents threads on a cut-out black rayon base. The insignia is machine stitched to the cap in the typical zig-zag pattern. The left side of the cap has a second pattern, (circa 1936), machine woven, SS style eagle in silver/grey threads on a cut-out, woven, black rayon base which is machine stitched in position in the typical zig-zag fashion. The cap has an extended, cloth covered, forward visor with an internal stiffener with a subtly raised lip to the top of the forward edge and a single row of reinforcement stitching to the bottom of the forward edge. The interior of the cap is fully lined in brushed grey cotton/rayon blend material. The lining is well marked with the black inkstamped "57". Rare cap!