{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-rare-kriegsmarine-navy-deutsches-afrika-korps-dak-m41-field-cap-made-from-italian-fabric","title":"Original German WWII Rare Kriegsmarine Navy Deutsches Afrika Korps DAK M41 Field Cap - Made from Italian Fabric","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. In late 1940, with the impending German entrance into the North African campaign, tropical uniforms headgear and equipment were quickly developed and issued in time for DAK, \u003cem\u003eDeutsches Afrika Korps\u003c\/em\u003e, (German Africa Corps), personnel’s arrival in Tripoli in February 1941. This is a lovely example of a \"unit tailor made\" or \"locally made\" M41 field cap, made from Italian fabric, which was available at the time. Also, unlike most we see, this one is for the Kriegsmarine Navy!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe M41 tropical field cap was introduced in early 1941 and design of the cap was loosely based on the Mountain Troopers, \u003cem\u003eBergmütze\u003c\/em\u003e with minor variations. Officer ranks caps were distinguished from EM\/NCO’s with silver piping for the ranks of Lieutenant to Oberst and gilt piping for the ranks of Generalmajor to Generalfeldmarschall while EM\/NCO’s ranks caps were not piped. Within the Kriegsmarine, these caps were most often seen used by ground forces, particularly those of the \u003cem\u003eKüstenartillerie\u003c\/em\u003e (Coastal artillery) forces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis very good service used \"locally made\" example conforms well to the M41 pattern, though it does not have the scalloped faux flap around the bottom. Issued to coastal artillery units and other Naval ground forces in Africa, it features fine Italian made cotton construction with two split pin style ventilation grommets on either side. The top center seam is correctly stitched right through the interior liner for added strength.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe front center of the cap has a BeVo-style machine embroidered national eagle in light yellow\/gold threads on a folded over, woven blue green base. Below this is a BeVo embroidered national tri-color cockade on a woven blue green diamond shaped base. Both the eagle and the cockade are machine-stitched to the outer layer of fabric, and are the color and type usually seen on the Field Gray Kriegsmarine uniforms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cap has a fabric covered, forward visor with an internal cardboard stiffener, which does not have any cracks or major creases. It is still flexible, though it is a bit \"floppy\" in places due to the cardboard stiffener breaking down. The interior of the cap is fully lined in golden brown rayon, and there are no markings that we can see on the inside. It is relatively small, probably about a 56cm in size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe overall condition shows moderate use in service, with some staining on the interior from sweat and oils, and some staining and wear to the exterior. This is really a fantastic example that was \"really there\", but was well treated during its time in service, probably having been made for a specific person by the unit tailor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReady to add to your DAK collection and display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Afrika Korps or German Africa Corps (German: \u003cem\u003eDeutsches Afrikakorps\u003c\/em\u003e, DAK was the German expeditionary force in Africa during the North African Campaign of World War II. First sent as a holding force to shore up the Italian defense of their African colonies, the formation fought on in Africa, under various appellations, from March 1941 until its surrender in May 1943. The term \"Afrika Korps\" is pseudo-German (so-called \"cod-German\"), deriving from an incomplete German title. The German term referred solely to the initial formation, the \u003cem\u003eDeutsches Afrikakorps\u003c\/em\u003e (DAK), which formed part of the Axis command of the German and Italian forces in North Africa. The name stuck, with both news media and Allied soldiers, as the name for all subsequent German units in North Africa. The unit is known for having been commanded by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43475973537861,"sku":"ONJR25AUBM65","price":495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR25AUBM65__07.jpg?v=1756549128","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-rare-kriegsmarine-navy-deutsches-afrika-korps-dak-m41-field-cap-made-from-italian-fabric","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}