Germany, Ordnungspolizei. An EM/NCO’s M43 Field Cap

(Ordnungspolizei Einheitsfeldmütze M43 für Mannschaften und Unteroffiziere). A well-preserved Ordnungspolizei EM/NCO’s M43 field cap, constructed of coarse field-grey wool. The cap is fully surrounded by fold-down side panels, scalloped toward the front, which provide optional ear and neck protection to the wearer. When not in use, the panels roll up and are secured in place at the front with two pebbled magnetic metal buttons which emanate from the right panel and meet an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left. Stitched onto the peak is a one-piece insignia consisting of a hexagonal field-grey rayon backer bearing a machine-embroidered Ordnungspolizei insignia topped by a tri-colour cockade, measuring 42 mm (w) x 50 mm (h) overall. A protruding visor completes the exterior features, and consists of a rigid card stock core fully lined in identical wool. A multi-piece slate-grey rayon liner encompasses the interior, and bears a partially-legible maker’s mark above a size stamp of “56”. The cap measures approximately 22 cm (w) x 25.5 cm (l) x 13.5 cm (h). Minor material fatigue is visible throughout the exterior cloth, with additional soiling evident to the interior, but this late-period cap, possibly requisitioned from Heer headgear stocks, remains in a near extremely fine condition.