Original German WWII 1943 Dated Eastern Front 57cm Rabbit Fur Pelzmütze Winter Hat with Damaged Rear Skirt Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. After the catastrophic winter of 1941-42 on the Eastern Front, the German military rapidly designed improved cold weather clothing. By the Fall of 1942, a variety of winter fur lined caps (Pelzmütze or Winterfellmütze) had been introduced. There were no standardized “model numbers”, but this version is a commonly encountered pattern. It has a fieldgray wool body, which is lined with rayon or cotton fabric, and a visor and fold down ear flaps backed with rabbit fur.

The front visor is tack stitched open and is rarely seen in the “down” position. Many soldiers pinned or sewed insignia to it as is seen here. Most often encountered are the metal visor cap badges – the Heer Wehrmachtadler Eagle (as seen on this example) or the SS skull. The flaps are usually held in the “up” (open) position by a single button on the right flap, which fits into a loop on the left flap, however the button is missing. The flaps can be tied under the wearer’s chin via the attached cloth ties, which are also being used on this example to fasten them in the up position.

This fine example is offered in good service used condition, with much of the fur intact. There is however damage to the rear flap where the fur and skin have been torn away, revealing the inner wool padding / insulation, some of which is missing. The rabbit skin could get quite delicate, so tears like this are relatively common. The interior brown rayon lining is clean and undamaged, and is marked with a 1943 date and size of 57.

These have become very hard to find on the market today and even decent reproductions sell for hundreds of dollars. Ready to display!