*Sweden,WW1, Model 1909 Pälsmössa (Winter Cap), Dated 1914, A.I.P. Depot Marked, With Retractable Leather Peak*
An original Swedish Army Model 1909 pälsmössa (fur winter cap), depot-accepted in 1914 and constructed in natural sheepskin with a fold-away brown leather peak secured by the two press-studs. The cap retains its quilted cotton interior and leather rear adjustment strap, together with its Swedish blue–yellow national cockade, beneath the lining, we can see the rusted cockade wire-fastener. The Swedish cockade accords with period use, though its precise regulation date for this cap type is uncertain and it may have been added at a later stage, possibly closer to the Second World War. Internally, the lining carries a smudged Tre Kronor crown property mark above the depot batch ‘508’ and the acceptance date ‘1914’, confirming that the cap was formally taken into Swedish Army service during the mobilisation period. It also bears the A.I.P. stamp of the Army Intendance (Arméintendenturens Pannförråd) above a second ‘1914’ date, together with the bold ‘62’ size marking.
Historical Note:
This sheepskin pälsmössa belongs to Sweden’s long-running fur-hat lineage that began with the M/1885 and evolved through the improved M/1885–1904 and early M/1904–1909 patterns, retaining the characteristic deep fleece crown and fold-away leather peak. Sweden remained officially neutral throughout the First World War, continuing its long tradition of armed neutrality dating back to the Napoleonic era. Although the country did not enter the fighting, the conflict created domestic pressure through food shortages and restricted imports, and the army was mobilised in 1914. With a standing force of only around 13,000 men, production of winter clothing was comparatively modest, yet Sweden still supplied cold-weather equipment commercially abroad. Caps of this exact pattern were widely purchased by the Imperial Russian Army and saw extensive service on the Eastern Front, where period photographs show Swedish sheepskin hats—often worn with the leather peak folded inside—used by Russian infantry, artillery and support units from 1914 onward.
The durability and effectiveness of these caps ensured a long service life, and they continued in use well into the Second World War. During the 1939–40 Winter War, large numbers of Swedish volunteers in Finland—particularly those serving with the Svenska Frivilligkåren—were equipped directly from Swedish military stores and wore sheepskin caps of this same pattern. During Sweden’s wider WWII mobilisation (Beredskapstiden), older stocks of fur clothing were again drawn from storage as demand outpaced new production, with Swedish, Danish and Norwegian troops training in Sweden frequently issued pre-WW1 examples identical to this one.
*Condition*
The cap shows honest period wear, the sheepskin fleece remaining complete and stable with expected age toning, while the original leather peak is intact with light surface cracking and natural drying to the edges. The quilted cotton lining is heavily worn with fraying and significant losses at the forehead/leather peak band and displays evidence of period repair. Internal markings survive clearly, particularly the two “1914” dates, the strong “62” size stamp and the A.I.P. intendentur mark. All hardware, including the twin press-studs and rear buckle, are present though the press studs are not functional. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
