Authentic reproduction of the WWI Austro-Hungarian Army Field Cap (Feldkappe/Mannschaftskappe), crafted in field-grey (Hechtgrau) wool with cloth visor and branch-colored piping. Standard headgear worn by k.u.k. infantry, artillery, and support troops during the Great War.
The Austro-Hungarian field cap, officially known as the Mannschaftskappe, was the standard headgear for other ranks in the k.u.k. Army during the First World War. Practical and durable, it was worn by soldiers in the trenches, on the march, and in daily service, becoming one of the most recognizable parts of the empire’s uniform.
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Historical Accuracy: Reproduced from original examples and period photographs, true to wartime specifications.
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Material: Field-grey (Hechtgrau) wool, matching the standard tunic and greatcoat.
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Design Features:
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Soft crown with a slightly pointed front, practical for field use
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Cloth visor instead of leather, for economy and camouflage
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Branch-colored piping on the crown band (red for infantry, black for artillery, yellow for cavalry, etc.)
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Front badge space for the regimental or national cockade (Kappenabzeichen)
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Lined interior for comfort and fit
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Usage: Worn by enlisted men and non-commissioned officers across all branches, often seen in combination with greatcoats or field tunics. By 1916, many were replaced in combat zones with the steel helmet (Stahlhelm), though the cap remained in widespread service.
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Historical Context: The Mannschaftskappe symbolized the Austro-Hungarian soldier of the Great War. Lightweight and distinctive with its colored piping, it served both as a functional field cap and as a badge of regimental identity.
Ideal for reenactors, collectors, museums, or film productions, this reproduction provides an authentic finishing touch to the Austro-Hungarian soldier’s uniform.
