ABOUT M-43 CAPS

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 BGCOLOR="#003333" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> ABOUT M-43 CAPS</div> <div> <A HREF="m_43_caps.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="M43 CAPS "><U>M-43 CAPS </U></A>   |   <A HREF="cap_care___size_chart_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CAP CARE SIZE CHART"><U>CAP CARE & SIZE CHART</U></A>   |   <B>ABOUT M-43 CAPS</B>   |   <A HREF="custom_work.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="NO CUSTOM WORK"><U>NO CUSTOM WORK</U></A>   |   <A HREF="camo_masks.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CAMO MASKS"><U>CAMO MASKS</U></A></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=150 BGCOLOR="#003333" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <B><IMG SRC="10f76d3f0.gif" border=0 width="109" height="63" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11100e0b0.gif" border=0 width="14" height="11" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="timemachine13.com"><U>HOME</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="german_militaria.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="GERMAN MILITARIA"><U>GERMAN MILITARIA</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="binoculars__.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BINOCULARS"><U>BINOCULARS</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="m_43_caps_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="M43 CAPS"><U>M-43 CAPS</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="links.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="LINKS"><U>LINKS</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://timemachine13.com/antiques_and_collectibles/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://timemachine13.com/antiques_and_co"><U>ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES</U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=398 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <bR> <div> <B>A BRIEF HISTORY OF GERMAN M-43 CAPS</B></div> <div>  <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#C0DCC0" FACE="Arial" >The origins of the German field cap go back to WW I and earlier.  A similar cap with a short visor, fold down flaps and 2 buttons in front was worn by the Austrian military and by the German mountain riflemen in the first world war. In 1930 German mountain troops were issued a new version of the cap which was taller in the front than the earlier caps.  In 1937 a Blue-Gray version was issued to some Luftwaffe members for skiing and sports use. By 1939 the LW flak troops in mountain or remote areas and were also being issued the caps. In 1941 German troops in Africa were issued a similar light weight version with a longer visor and non folding traditional style flaps. In 1942 the Waffen SS begun issuing a reversible camouflage version of the cap that was mostly made from scrap material left over from the manufacturing of smocks and other garments. In 1943 the model 43 "M-43" was adopted as the standard field cap of the German Army, Luftwaffe, Kreigsmarine, SS and Police. These cap quickly became popular with all the soldiers and were used to the end of WW II.  After the war German military  continued to use the M43 style cap for many years.   Although there were many variations and models of these caps, over the years most collectors have come to use the term M-43 cap as a generic name for this style of cap.  </FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>About my caps</B></div> <div>  I started collecting German Militaria in the 1960's and have always liked M-43 caps but didn't want to wear an original and I could not find any repros that were authentic looking so after studying an original example, in 1973 I made my first cap. Since then I've made hundreds of caps and made a lot of changes to the patterns improve them. After observing hundreds of original photos of Germans wearing these caps, Its amazing how many different variations exist in original M-43 type caps. I cant make patterns to represent all the variations of different cap makers so I have developed my set of patterns to represent an overall attractive standard M-43 cap. I cut the visor material on an old factory leather cutting machine that was made in 1915. I use industry standard <U>paper visor board</U>, which is similar to the old originals. The manufactures of this material tell me that the old paper visor board is no longer being produced and is now being made of a plastic based material.  Who wants plastic in their cap! When it comes to M-43 caps, many of you feel the same as I do, there is no substitute for quality and authenticity!  The style of cap you wear is a reflection of your personality.<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#C0DCC0" FACE="MS Reference Sans Serif" > </FONT></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <U>I Guarantee you will be satisfied with any cap you buy or return it for a refund, minus shipping cost</U></div> <bR> <div> Lately I haven't had time to do any sewing, I haven't sewn for a couple years.  Too many things going on and some physical problems that keep me from getting to it for now.  The caps offered here are all I have available. </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>