Army or SS M43 Cap

[RobertE]

I have always considering these H43 M43 caps to be SS issue, mainly because that seems to be the set-up for most of these examples that are intact. However, I just got this cap from a army mountain troop estate, and there is no doubt he was GJ his entire career.

The trap is removed, and so is the GJ device from the side, which doesn't show up much in the photo.

So - were these early M43s (H43 marked) exclusive to the SS, or maybe issued to the army as well?

s/f Robert

[RobertE]

Can't see much in the photos, but a side-mounted edelweiss or other device was here.

[RobertE]

1

[Panzergrenadiere71]

It's a WSS M43 fieldcap.

[RobertE]

This one wasn't, though.

[RobertE]

Neither was this one.

[Panzergrenadiere71]

Robert , every M43 marked that way I've seen was a WSS M43 .
Bill Shea have one actually for sale ( see pic ).
They are usually marked M 43 or H 43.I remember one marked K 43.
If possible would be interesting to see more pics of the Officer one iven if seems to me they are not exactly the same type ( see the buttons and key holes ) .
That said , I'm open minded so when I will see an untouched Heer M43 marked that way I could change idea.

[RobertE]

Emilio, I haven't ever seen a M43 with H43 issue stamps that's army either, and was hoping someone might have an example. This one came from this soldier, and he was definitely army his whole career.

The jaeger officer cap is different than the H43-type enlisted issue, but definitely army and definitely Italian gabardine. I have wartime pictures of the officer wearing it.

s/f Robert

[OSS]

Agree that these markings are WSS, not Heer contract. It (they) may have been rebadged and worn by a Heer soldier.

[MM1985]

one more

[MM1985]

and another one

[Colorado]

My friend's uncle sent home a box during WWII that contained a Luft helmet and two SS M43 Gabardine caps. Both are marked H43. Happily, I still own one of caps.

[Urka]

Could someone spare 5 mins to enlighten me what is the difference between ss and WH m43 caps?
i stiil cannot say which is ss or wh
cheers

[RobertE]

These two-button M43's made from Italian gabardine are typically SS, both in enlisted and officer versions. They figure prominently in Beavers book and other uniform works, and are a "safe" SS type to have in collections.

The army wore them as well, but the army versions are elusive. I started this thread to see if anyone had a H43 marked cap with army insignia.

s/f Robert

[Disco Partisan]

Could someone spare 5 mins to enlighten me what is the difference between ss and WH m43 caps?
i stiil cannot say which is ss or wh
cheers

M43 with two buttons were the same for Wehrmacht and the SS. Some collectors believe that SS caps never had Rbnr number on them.