Nice quality, field-gray wool construction cap features fold down back and side panels with a downward scalloped front edge and forward sides and two pebbled metal button front closure. 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 top crown edge is piped in bright, interwoven, silver/aluminum braiding. Early pattern, machine woven national eagle with outstretched wings, clutching a wreathed, canted, swastika in it’s talons, in bright silver wire threads, positioned above a national tri-color cockade, with a black outer circle encompassing a silver wire inner circle and a red center dot, on an woven, dark green rayon, "T" formed base. The cap has an extended, cloth covered, forward visor with an internal stiffener with a subtly raised lip to the bottom of the forward edge. The interior of the cap is fully lined in green/tan rayon. Cap is nicely size marked "57". Excellent The M43 field cap was introduced for wear by all ranks on June 11TH 1943 as a replacement cap for the other field caps then in use. 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. The standard issue M43 field caps were constructed of field-grey material while a black version was introduced at the same time for Panzer personnel. Officer’s ranks were distinguished by piping on the crown of the cap with silver piping for the ranks of Leutnant to Oberst and gilt piping for General Officer’s ranks of Generalmajor to Generalfeldmarschall while EM/NCO’s caps were not piped. Further regulations also dictated that the buttons on the cap were also to be an indicator of rank with field-grey buttons for EM/NCO’s, silver for field and company grade officers and gilt for General’s ranks but this was not strictly adhered to. Officer and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own caps and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the army’s Kleiderkasse, (Clothing Account), system. The Officers and certain senior NCO’s could choose to purchase their caps from the armed forces clothing depots or to privately purchase visor caps of higher quality. Although enlisted personnel were issued their caps from government supplies they were also permitted to purchase privately tailored caps although the price may have been restrictive.