Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of the Finnish M/22 Field cap (kenttälakki m/22, "venelakki m/22"). This garrison cap like hat design was intended to be worn most of the year by all ranks. Sometimes it is referred as field cap m/19, since it was actually introduced already that year, in addition to which it had also nickname "venelakki" ("boat hat"). This is similar to how the German side caps were called "Schiffchen" or "little ship.
Infantry, sappers, signal corps and supply units used a version which had no chin-strap. Field artillery, cavalry and bicycle troops had a version with leather chin-strap with cavalry typically wearing the chin-strap over top of hat. The standard model of the cap was made from grey fabric, but Tank Regiment/Battalion used black version and Air Force’s version was dark blue. Early on Coastal Artillery used same hat version as field artillery, but soon replaced it with grey version of the Navy sailor hat.
Apparently the field cap m/22 was no longer issued during World War 2, being officially retired with introduction of military uniform m/36, but it still saw saw some use particularly with senior officers, with the most famous person to regularly continue wearing it during the war being no other than Marshal Mannerheim.
This example is in very good condition, with the expected fading and wear from age. It still has both of the side buttons on the top, which bear the Finnish "Lion" insignia. The front of the cap has a Blue and White enamel cockade on the top. Under this is the correct brass badge with the coat of arms of Finland: a crowned lion on a red field, the right foreleg replaced with an armored human arm brandishing a sword, trampling on a sabre with the hindpaws. The cockade has full enamel, while the coat of arms is missing some on the top.
The interior of the cap is lined in black cotton, with a dark brown leather sweatband. It does show wear and staining, but has no major tears. There is some finish flaking and folding, but that is to be expected.
A very nice example of what has become a hard to find cap. Ready to display!
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