M43 Cap with symbols inside

**duncwendy** · 07-30-2022, 02:37 PM

We found this M43 cap in the loft of our house in the SW French countryside
Relatives of the deceased previous owner suggested it was given to him from a German youth when they were evacuating the area.
Looking on the inside we found some unusual markings inked in.
Not sure which way up they should be read
Someone has suggested they are Hebrew but it seems to me that it would be unlikely for a German soldier to have Hebrew written in his cap ?? One suggested it could be Hebrew for Khet and Tav which would mean 408 ???

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 07-30-2022 02:37 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**GlennAgain** · 07-30-2022, 03:46 PM

I can only speculate here, but the Germans had several units of "Ost-Truppen" (Volunteers from the occupied Soviet Territories) in that region, and this could be the soldier's initials in his native Cyrillic script...

**ErWeSa** · 07-30-2022, 04:00 PM

Could be Armenian for R. M., see here:

Ռ – Wikipedia

Մ – Wikipedia

**duncwendy** · 08-08-2022, 10:19 AM

Cyrillic or Armenian ????
I shall investigate that further
Thanks

**duncwendy** · 08-08-2022, 12:40 PM

ErWeSa,
there was an Armenian 43 Legion led by General Drastamat Kanayan in WW2
Looking at the Armenian alphabet the symbols could be A and M (because they are the same way up )
It is the most probable explanation that they were the wearer's initials.
Thanks