Original Item: Only One Available. The severe cold encountered on the Russian front in the winter of 1941-42 found the Germans completely unprepared not only in heat retaining cold weather garments but also snow camouflage garments. This resulted in numerous, hastily improvised and makeshift heat retaining and snow camouflage items being utilized including everything from civilian winter clothing to white bed sheets. After the winter of 1941/42 the Oberkommando des Wehrmacht (High Command of the Armed Forces) recognized the need for heavier winter clothing and testing began in the spring of 1942 to develop suitable garments.

In April 1942 AH approved the chosen design, and the first models were issued in the autumn of that year, included assorted winter Pelzmützen (fur caps). The caps were a standard issue item and were distributed to all EM/NCO’s for the winter season, (September 15TH to April 15TH), with other winter garments and were to be returned to the units storage depot at the end of the season for storage, repair and cleaning to be reissued the following September.

Originally Officers and senior NCO’s responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and headgear were required to purchase the new winter garments until regulations of December 1942 extended the issue winter clothing to all ranks in the colder theaters of operation. Although there was no official standard model of the fur cap the most commonly encountered type followed the basic pattern of the Mountain and M43 caps with fold down back and side panels designed to protect the wearer's ears and neck.

This lovely example is typical of those seen later in the war, and is a copy of the Soviet Army Ushanka design, manufactured for the Luftwaffe in the characteristic fliegerblau (Flyer's Blue) glue gray color with bluish faux fur. This is similar to the Soviet "Fish Fur" style of insulation, however looks to be of higher quality, and is not the usual purple color, so we believe it is all German made. It features a fold down flap around the back, with ear flaps on top, which are joined by a cord to keep them up on top of the cap. Once untied, they the flap can then be folded down, and the tie used to secure the ear flaps under the chin.

The front flap is secured by small snaps on the upper corners, and has a second pattern, machine embroidered, Luftwaffe eagle in light grey threads wool base with a separate machine embroidered, padded national tri-color cockade situated just below eagle. The interior is lined with light blue canvas with quilted stitching, and we can see the remnants of a paper tag on the inside crown, but no other markings. It is quite small, probably about a 54cm in side.

This Luftwaffe Ushanka is in very good condition, complete with all its parts intact and without any marks or tears. Overall condition is very good with light wear exhibited. A very nice example of a German WWII Eastern Front winter cap, ready to display!