Original German WWII Eastern Front Luftwaffe M43 Pelzmütze Winter Field Cap dated 1942 – size 58 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. The severe cold encountered on the Russian front in the winter of 1941-42 found the Germans completely unprepared not only in heat retaining cold weather garments but also snow camouflage garments. This resulted in numerous, hastily improvised and makeshift heat retaining and snow camouflage items being utilized including everything from civilian winter clothing to white bed sheets. After the winter of 1941/42 the Oberkommando des Wehrmacht (High Command of the Armed Forces) recognized the need for heavier winter clothing and testing began in the spring of 1942 to develop suitable garments.

In April 1942 AH approved the chosen design, and the first models were issued in the autumn of that year, included assorted winter fur caps. The fur caps were a standard issue item and were distributed to all EM/NCO’s for the winter season, (September 15TH to April 15TH), with other winter garments and were to be returned to the units storage depot at the end of the season for storage, repair and cleaning to be reissued the following September.

Originally Officers and senior NCO’s responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and headgear were required to purchase the new winter garments until regulations of December 1942 extended the issue winter clothing to all ranks in the colder theaters of operation. Although there was no official standard model of the fur cap the most commonly encountered type followed the basic pattern of the Mountain and M43 caps with fold down back and side panels designed to protect the wearer’s ears and neck.

This example is excellent quality, multi-panel, patch work, whitened sheepskin construction winter cap with the natural hide to the exterior and sheep’s wool to the interior. The front center of the cap has a second pattern, machine embroidered, Luftwaffe eagle in light grey threads on a cut-out Luftwaffe blue/grey wool base with a separate machine embroidered, padded national tri-color cockade situated just below eagle.

The cap features fold down side and back panels with the panels, held in position at the top of the cap by a thread loop and a corresponding button. Unlike many we see, the button is still present on this example, though the stitching has torn through the leather, and it is now attached only to the fur of the cap. When the side and back panels are in the upright position the sheep’s wool is visible to the exterior. The back and side panels were designed to be folded down to protect the wearer’s ears and neck and the panels could be secured with the fabric loop and button closed under the wearer’s chin as required.

The fold down side panels each have a small circular cut-out with a corresponding, overlapping, horizontal, “U” shaped closure panel with a single, brown painted, sheet metal PRYM / 6H closure snap to each. The side panels also have an additional male snap enabling the horizontal, “U” shaped closure panels to be secured in the open position as required. There is a factory label attached to the top front seam, which is marked with date 1942 in the center, and size 58 on the edge.

Overall condition is wonderful with light wear exhibited. There is some flaking of the exterior lightweight hide, as well as a few small tears. This is one of the most complete examples of a M43 Winter Field Cap we have ever encountered!