The German Gebirgsjäger (mountain riflemen) found their origins in the "Alpenkorps" of both the Bavarian Army and the Austrian Army of the Great War, which had been successfully deployed against their Italian counterparts, the "Alpini", to defend vital mountain passes. The German Gebirgsjägers of WW2 were characterized by the Edelweiss insignia worn on their caps and uniforms; the flower only grows high in the Alps above the treeline, and it was a rite of passage for any prospective Gebirgsjäger to hike up and pluck an edelweiss. German mountain troops fought in almost every campaign of WW2, from the invasion of Poland in 1939, to seizing footholds in Norway in 1940, the battle of Crete in 1941, and the Caucasus campaign of 1942. They then played a vital role in the Italian Campaign, from Monte Cassino in 1944 to holding the Gothic Line until 1945. This German Army WW2 Gebirgsjäger Mountain Ski Trooper Edelweiss Badged Single Button M-43 Wool Field Cap is in good condition, with a sharp curve to the front bill, which was done so long ago that it remains permanent, a sizable moth tear in the upper right front bill, another sizable moth tear in the front right ear flap, moderate scattered mothing around the top right crown, moderate mothing at the lower right back body, heavy scattered tearing and brownish soiling to the satin lining, all of the size, maker, and date markings having long since faded away from that lining, and with some overall age wear evident. Otherwise, the cap is in fine shape, with no other damage to the tough gray feldgrau wool construction. Most interestingly, it boasts the original bevo woven spread wing eagle and national cockade Heer insignia hand sewn at the upper middle front crown, sports the classic Gebirgsjäger edelweiss zinc badge stitched at the left ear flap, and features a unique one gray finished "pebbled" metal button connecting the ear flaps at the lower middle front crown; the unique single button closure possibly suggests Italian manufacture for the German Heer. It's approximately a Size 57 (US Size 7 1/8), features a salty gray satin lining, and is a fine example of a rare, original German Army WW2 Gebirgsjäger Mountain Ski Trooper Edelweiss Badged Single Button M-43 Wool Field Cap. This is a scarce field worn Gebirgsjäger M-43 field cap.
Uniforms