Original German WWII Eastern Front Heer Army Rabbit Fur Pelzmütze Winter Hat

Original Item: Only One Available. After the catastrophic winter of 1941-42 on the Eastern Front, the German military rapidly designed improved cold weather clothing. By the Fall of 1942, a variety of winter fur lined caps (Pelzmütze or Winterfellmütze) had been introduced. There were no standardized "model numbers", but this version is a commonly encountered pattern. It has a fieldgrau (field gray) wool body, which is lined with cotton fabric, and a visor and fold down ear flaps backed with rabbit fur. We did notice that the wool is a bit more "blue green" than we usually see, so this may originally have been intended for police use.

Many soldiers pinned or sewed insignia to it as is seen here. Most often encountered are the metal visor cap badges - the Heer Wehrmachtadler Eagle (as seen on this example) or the SS skull. The flaps are usually held in the "up" (open) position by a single button on the right flap, which fits into a loop on the left flap, both of which are actually still intact, a real rarity! The flaps can be tied under the wearer's chin via the attached cloth ties, which are also intact, but definitely show wear.

This fine example is offered in very good condition, with virtually all of the fur intact, and the cotton outer flap lining in great shape. The interior cotton lining is clean and undamaged, made from the same fabric as the outer lining, showing just a bit of staining. We were not able to locate any markings on the interior, however it measures to be about a 58cm on a hat sizer.

These have become very hard to find on the market today and even decent reproductions sell for hundreds of dollars. A lovely example, ready to add to your collection and display!