Germany, Heer. An EM/NCO’s M42 Field Cap, by LAGO-Wien

(Heer Schiffchen M42 für Mannschaften). A well-preserved Heer M42 field cap, constructed of coarse field-grey wool. The cap is surrounded by fold-down side walls, slightly scalloped toward the front, which provide optional ear and neck protection to the wearer. When not in use, the walls roll up and are secured in place with two pebbled magnetic metal buttons which emanate from the right side and meet an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left. The crown is flanked on each side by a ventilation hole reinforced with a zink grommet. Stitched onto the peak is an insignia consisting of a T-shaped field-grey rayon backer bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, situated above a tri-colour cockade, measuring 65 mm (w) x 40 mm (h). A multi-piece grey cotton liner encompasses the interior, with the crown bearing a stamped maker’s mark of “WIENER MÜTZEN LAGO”, indicating production by a member of a consortium of Vienna-based headgear manufacturers, situated within a manufacture date of “1942” and a size mark of “55”. The cap measures approximately 29.5 cm (l) x 11 cm (h) when folded on a flat surface. Minor material fatigue consistent with age and field wear is evident, and includes material fatigue throughout the outer wool, will a small spot mothing to the left side of the walls. This mid-war example remains in a better than very fine condition.