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Khaki/gray cotton twill lining,
correct radius on the visor |
Corded eyelet buttonholes
and correct, hollow back
pebbled buttons |
Ear muff loops and white binding
under the edge of the flap. |
Reproduction of perhaps the best known cap of WWII- the German Einheitsfeldmütze, which remains one of the best field cap designs to this day. Introduced sometime in 1943, the M43 cap was essentially a wool version of the popular cotton field cap worn by the Afrika Korps.
The caps were made from woolen uniform cloth, with interiors made with a wide variety of cotton and rayon linings. Fold down flaps were provided for cold weather as well as two loops to secure wool ear muffs. Made in the millions, numerous minor variations can be found among original caps. Examples can be found in nearly every color and type of uniform cloth, thread color and lining vary widely, as well as number (1 or 2) and type of buttons to secure the flaps.
Our reproductions differ from nearly all others in that I made the pattern from an actual WWII M43 cap that we disassembled (it was a moth-eaten wreck). There are two key differences one finds with our caps: First, the front of the cap forms properly- it has the same "puff" of fabric at the top front. The side panels of original caps are not rectangular- their ends are angled which greatly affects the fit and look of the cap overall. Most reproductions miss this, even the "high end" ones, and they never look quite right. Second, the inside radius of the visor matches the originals and forms well to one's forehead.
In addition, all the little nerdy details are there: Under the flaps we have the ear muff loops, as well as the white binding along the front edge. The buttonholes are the more common corded eyelet ("keyhole") type, and the buttons are the proper hollow back 12mm pebbled models. Lastly, the dimensions of the caps are correct- the front peak isn't too low where the insignia is hidden nor as tall as a toaster as with some reproductions.
Our caps are made using our field gray wool that is the same weight and weave as WWII fabric. It fits and forms very well to one's head. Lining is khaki/ gray cotton twill.
Matching colors? The caps do NOT match any of our wool uniforms perfectly. This is just like it was in WWII as caps, tunics and trousers were typically made in different factories.
Insignia sold separately. We cannot get any quality contractor to sew "naughty" patches on uniforms any more, plus it seems to rile up US Customs when they come in. So, these caps are "sterile".
Heer insignia: The most commonly seen insignia on originals is the field gray "trapezoid" type insignia, and it is typically machine sewn, but hand sewn examples are not rare or terribly unusual.
As for the SS: On originals, Bevo skull and eagles were the norm. Hand sewn is very common on these- and they can be found both "stacked" (eagle over the skull) on the front of the cap, or skull on the front and the eagle on the left flap. The latter seems to be preferred among living historians but the former appears more often on actual WWII examples. Go figure.
Imported
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SHOPPING BAG ()
270.384.1965