Ski cap

This article is about the type of German field cap. For The common winter cap sometimes known as a Ski Cap, seeKnit cap.

Theski capis a type of field cap used by several German-speaking or German-influenced armed forces since the late 19th century. The design originates from imperialAustria-Hungary,but is best known for its widespread use asM43 field cap(Einheitsmütze) used by theGermanWehrmachtandSSduringWorld War II.A similar design is used in Germany as the distinguishing headgear of theGebirgsjäger,the only differences being the bill was slightly extended and the top panel of the hat had a smaller circumference, giving it slightly sloped-in sides. The design and its successors still in use today are the German counterparts to the Americanpatrol caporutility cover.

Variants

There are several variants of the ski cap, starting with theGebirgsjäger's ski cap. This was the first in the family of caps, and was recognized by a high peak, a teardrop shaped top, a short bill, and a small skirt that folds down to protect the ears in cold. AllBergmützenhad a smalledelweissor a grouping ofJägerleaves, depending on the unit. During the Second World War, the ski cap was generally made of field grey or field blue wool, depending on whether it was used by theHeer,SS,or theLuftwaffe.

Gebirgsjäger

Bergmützeworn as part of the modernBundeswehrGebirgsjägeruniform

Civilian copy of theBergmütze

The precursor to the GermanBergmützewas a service cap first issued to AustrianImperial-Royal Mountain Troopsin 1906. During World War I, this cap was made ofHechtgrau(pike grey) wool and had a turn-down brim to cover the wearer's ears in cold weather. German mountain troops, who initially wore a grey peakless forage cap resembling asailor cap,adopted theBergmützein 1915 as a gesture of solidarity with their Austrian allies. Both the German and AustrianBergmützenboreedelweissinsignia, the mark of an experienced mountain climber, but, unlike the leather peaks of the Austrian caps, the peak of the German cap was covered withslate greywool.

The sides of theBergmützestand almost straight up, due to the wide top sewn onto the cap. The skirt that surrounds the cap is made in the same wool as the cap, and is double layered in the rear three quarters of the skirt, enabling it to be folded down over the ears. The skirt has a small dip in the front quarter with a divide secured by two small buttons in order to get the skirt around the bill. The small section in the front quarter was built shorter to show the insignia, and cover the wearer's chin or mouth, without disturbing breathing by covering the nose.

Use of similar headwear in Finland

The ski cap -like design was introduced in theFinnish ArmyandFinnish Air Forcein the field uniform of model 1936, which was based on contemporary German models.

The cap was used by all ranks during the Second World War and long afterwards. As with all caps of the Finnish Defence Forces, rank-and-file and junior NCOs wore the cap with a roundel-typecockadeof white-blue-white, while officers and senior NCOs wore a red cockade featuring a goldenlion of Finland.The cap was finally phased out in 2014.

Modern use

During Bosnia

Modern Germanmailman's cap, with ear flaps turned down

Mountain units (Gebirgsjäger) of theBundeswehrstill wear M43-style field caps, and are still referred to asBergmütze.The caps have the fold mentioned above, and are issued in medium grey for enlisted personnel and a lighter grey with silver piping around the brim for officers. The Edelweiss is still on the left side of the cap above the ear, and the cockade and crossed-swords insignia are present on the front above the bill. Most modern M43 field caps are of a slightly different cut than the original M43, with a wider top, but still very similar to theGebirgsjäger Bergmützeof World War II. Many modern German police units also use a variant of the M43. Additionally, all other army units wear a simplified version of the M43 cap, without the fold-down ear flaps, in standardFlecktarncamouflage with a BeVo cockade on the front. This is generally worn in the field instead of the Beret. There is also a version of lighter cloth in the desert variant ofFlecktarnfor use in tropical climates. The Bergmütze is also part of the formal uniform of the civil Austrian volunteer Fire Fighting services.

Gallery

• 
  An M43 wool field cap with SS insignia, showing folded and unfolded ear flaps.
• 
  3 Camouflaged M41 field caps in Heer splinter, Italian, and SS blurred edge. Note sweatband on fall side of SS field cap.
• 
  The original pike-grey service cap, with neck flap, issued to Austro-Hungarian troops during World War I. Unlike the GermanBergmütze,this had a leather peak.
• 
  World War II GermanGebirgsjägerin Norway. Experienced troops were allowed to wear anedelweissbadge made of metal or embroidered cloth.
• 
  Finnish soldiers wearing field caps based on the German pattern, 1942.
• 
  1980sEast GermanKampfgruppen der Arbeiterklassevariant of theBergmütze.
• 
  1965MHungarian armyfield cap.

See also

• Imperial Austrian Landwehr
• Nazi uniform
• Uniforms and insignia of the Luftwaffe
• Waffen SS uniform
• Kepi

References

Sources

• Original field caps section of militaria vendor