Very rare to fine, these were not made for Africa, but for usage on the continent. The "tropeneinheitsfeldmuetze" was developed in 1940 and introduced in 1941. Constructed from khaki tan colored cloth, this cap features a pair of grommeted vent holes on each side, with cloth patch eagle and cockade positioned on the front seam and a rigid visor. The sweatband is constructed from olive green cloth with a rubberized cloth backing, and the crown is lined with a single layer of red fabric, with a black ink "57" size marking and a faded makers mark that appears to contain a Bayern address, a "44" date and the production code "0/0850/0387". Consignor notes state that this particular cap was found at an airbase in Belgium in 1944 by T/Sgt Robert Radlein, a radio operator/gunner on a B-26, the "Ugly Duckling", 323 Bomb group when he arrived there. (See page 181, "American Aviation Jackets" by Maguire and Conway.)

Good overall, showing signs of honest wear and age, with mild staining of the cloth (with an emphasis on what appear to be sweat stains), a few areas of loose stitching, and mild wear. The sweatband shows cracking of the treated cloth along the fold, and the visor has creased and rippled with a combination of heat and age.