Original German Luftwaffe M43 Field Cap with Cockade Button Snider Rifle and the leather has shrunk

and the leather has shrunk somewhat

The Ordnance Department attempted to thwart the will of Congress by increasing production of the US Model 1868 Rifle while a new design was being considered but Congress discovered the Ordnance Department's plan and killed it by significantly cutting appropriations for Springfield Armory until the Board made its final recommendation

Inside the bag of the Kit

- Original photo of Horner sitting atop his P-51

Original German Luftwaffe M43 Field Cap with Cockade Button Snider Rifle and the leather has shrunkOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a fine example of a Luftwaffe M43 Einheitsmtze field cap with a rare single cockade button. The M43 Einheitsmtze (Unit Cap) is a variety of "Ski Cap" and was based on the Bergmtze (Mountain Hat) used by Austrian and German Gebirgsjger (Mountain Troops) during WWI. Germany had adopted it in 1915, and after the war it spread throughout the military. The skirt that surrounds the cap is made in the same wool as