Original Austrian WWI Mountain Infantry M1915 Bergmütze Field Cap Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. The mountain infantry of Austria have their roots in the three Landesschützen regiments of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The mountain infantry of modern Germany carry on certain traditions of the German Alpenkorps (Alpine corps) of World War I. Both countries’ mountain infantry share the Edelweiß insignia, established in 1907 as a symbol of the Austro-Hungarian Landesschützen regiments by Emperor Franz Joseph I. These troops wore the edelweiss on the uniform collar. When the Alpenkorps served alongside the Landesschützen on Austria’s southern frontier against Italian forces from May 1915, the Landesschützen honored the men of the Alpenkorps by awarding them their own insignia: the edelweiss.

Aside from having their own emblem, it is for mountain troopers that the legendary Bergmütze “Mountain Cap” was developed. It was a variety of “Ski Cap” used by Austrian and German Gebirgsjäger (Mountain Troops) during WWI. The cap had a folded up ear and head protective flap, which could be unfolded and secured beneath the chin. Germany had adopted it in 1915, and after the war it spread throughout the military. The Field Caps used by German forces during WWII, are a direct descendant of these, and even the tropical caps still have the scalloped front, even though they cannot be folded down.

This example is a typical enlisted example as used by Austrian Mountain troops during WWI, which looks to have been made by VOEGELIN, as marked on the crown inside. It is constructed of blue gray wool, and is in good condition, though it does show much wear from service. There is moth damage, and the front brim is made of cardboard, and only has a wool covering on the top. As the brim cracked, pieces have fallen out, and tape was used at some point to prevent further deterioration, with limited success. The interior lining is reddish brown cotton, with a pressed paper sweatband, which also shows much wear. 

A lovely service worn example of the legendary WWI Bergmütze Field Cap, ready to display!