WWI Imperial German Army Field Cap (Feldmütze)
The Feldmütze was the standard issue soft field cap of the Imperial German Army during the First World War. Worn by soldiers of all branches, it represented both tradition and practicality, combining regimental identity with battlefield functionality.
Design & Appearance
Our Feldmütze was constructed from feldgrau wool cloth (please see specifications in the highlight section) to match the service uniform, with a soft crown and band that makes it easy to fold and stow when not in use.
Distinctive features included:
-
Colored cap band (Waffenfarbe): Traditionally in branch colors such as red for infantry, black for artillery. Please email if your reenaction unit needs other colors or if you persolly need another color.
-
National cockades:
-
A Reich cockade in black, white, and red centered above the band.
-
A State cockade (e.g., Prussian black/white, Bavarian blue/white, Württemberg black/red) For any other cockade required by you, please email.
-
-
Flat-topped profile: The cap sat snugly on the head with a simple, rounded crown, contrasting the more elaborate officer versions which sometimes had a stiffer form.
Field & Campaign Use
While the Pickelhaube (spiked helmet) remained the formal headgear at the start of the war, the Feldmütze quickly became the most commonly worn piece of headgear in the trenches due to its comfort and practicality. Soldiers often wore it under the later introduced M1916 Stahlhelm for extra padding.
As the war progressed, some Feldmützen lost their bright piping and colored bands to adopt a more subdued appearance for camouflage, but the two cockades remained a key identifying feature.
Legacy
The Feldmütze is one of the most recognizable items of Imperial German field dress, symbolizing the everyday soldier of the Kaiser’s army. It remains an essential piece for collectors, historians, and reenactors aiming to recreate authentic WWI German impressions.
