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Quality M-43 Caps
Everyone should own at least one M-43 cap!



 I've made M-43 caps since the early 1970s but I don't make them anymore.  
 I still have a few camo caps available but my stock is limited.  

 Thank you to all the great customers I've done business with over the years.  
Your loyalty and positive feedback is very appreciated as always!


A Group of Tropical Style Camouflage Non-reversible M-43 Caps
$25. ea. + $5. shipping, or Buy all in stock at $15. ea.

Currently 40 In Stock, = $600.  and I'll pay the Shipping in USA.

 Dealers, Collectors, Reenactors, History Enthusiasts, this could be a good investment.
These are not the reversible type. They have normal M-43 cap type linings.
There are original examples of camo M-43 caps with normal liners, both field made and taylor made.
people buy them for reenactment, display on mannequins, or just to wear around every day.
If you buy the existing stock of tropical caps, the price will be $15. each. Currently have about 40 in stock.

40 Caps at $25. ea. would be $1000.
40 Caps at $15. ea. for $600. with free shipping.   $400. Discount.

 I've added new photos of the group and a few individual cap photos to show details.
I store these caps folded to save room so they have a slight fold line going across the top. This is easily removed by wetting the area with a squirt bottle and just smashing and shaping it with your hands, then hang it on a nail to dry.  I did this with a few of the group so that they would look good in the photos.  You can also use this method to take most puckers or wrinkles out of  the caps.

Sizes vary from 56 cm to 61 cm.   A good variety of sizes and styles.


All tropical caps below are $25. each + $5. shipping in the USA


ITEM # SP 1
Heer Splinter Camo M43 cap
These are made from  new cotton fabric.
 They are nonreversible and have a plain liner.
Available Sizes: --,--,57, 61

 $25. each  + $5. shipping in the USA


ITEM # Oak B
Spring Oak B Camo M-43 Cap
These are made from lightweight cotton fabric My hope was to make a cooler cap for the hot summer days. They are a beautiful pattern but are not as stiff as my other caps. They are non-reversible and have a plain liner.
Available Sizes: 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, -,
$25. each  + $5. shipping in the USA

 ITEM  # IT
Italian Camo M-43 Cap
Made from old unissued Italian shelter halves. They are the same pattern as WWII.  
The fabric is stiff and stands up well!  
Not reversible.
Available Sizes:   56,57, - 59,60,-,
 $25. each  + $5. shipping in the USA
ITEM  # TW
Tan and Water camo M-43 Cap
 Not reversible.
Available Sizes: , - , 57 , 58  ,- , - , - ,

 $25. each  + $5. shipping in the USA
ITEM  # Dot44HBT
Dot 44 HBT camo M-43 Cap
 Not reversible.
Last One! - Size 61

 $25.  + $5. shipping in the USA



Tropical M-43 Caps with side flaps and vent eyelets
$30. ea. + $5. shipping in the USA


Splinter Camo Tropical M-43 Cap with side flaps & vents
Made from old Swiss Splinter Pattern camo shelter quarter.
 Apparently WWII German designs but slightly altered.  Very stiff fabric. Shows age but a great looking cap!
One Only - Size - 58
Item#  SWSSCAP   $30. + $5. shipping in the USA


Flectarn Camo Tropical M-43 Cap with side flaps and vents,
Made from original German camo clothing.

One Only - Size -58

Item#  FLEKCAP   $30. + $5. shipping in the USA


Tan Tropical M-43 Cap with side flaps and vent eyelets

Size - 59

Item#  TTan 1  $30. + $5. shipping in the USA


Tan Tropical M-43 Cap with side flaps and vent eyelets

Size - 58
Item#  TTan 2  $30. + $5. shipping in the USA

CAP SIZE CONVERSION CHART
Circumference
in Inches
US
 Sizes
German
Sizes
      21  5/16"   
       6 3/4
   54 cm
      21  11/16"  
       6 7/8
   55 cm
      22   1/8"   
       7
   56 cm
      22   1/2"    
       7 1/8
   57 cm
      22   7/8"  
       7 1/4
   58 cm
      23   5/16"
       7 3/8
   59 cm
      23  11/16"   
       7 1/2
   60 cm
      24  1/16"   
       7 5/8
   61 cm
      24   5/16"   
       7 3/4
   62 cm



Cap Care
NEVER pull loose threads out! Remove loose threads with a lighter or cut them off.

To clean the cap, NEVER put it in a washing machine or a dryer.
If nessicary, dry-clean or wash by hand in cool water and a little soap.
Keep the visor flat while it is wet, as it can be easily damaged if it is bent or twisted.
The visor can be reshaped when it is dry.

For stubborn spots use a soft toothbrush and a little extra soap. Lightly scrub the stain to release it.
After washing, reshape and hang to dry or put it on a Styrofoam head.

You can spray Scotch guard on it to make it more resistant to soiling.

Even original German hats and caps were destructible.
Don't do anything to the cap that you wouldn't do to an original and it should last for years.




A BRIEF HISTORY OF GERMAN M-43 CAPS
 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.  

About my caps
 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 paper visor board, 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.

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