A scarce and exceptionally well-preserved example of the WWII German Wehrmacht reversible winter hood (Kopfhaube), produced by Szillat & Co., Berlin C2, and marked size 57. This piece represents a key development in the German Army’s response to the catastrophic winter of 1941–42 on the Eastern Front, when freezing conditions decimated ill-equipped units. The failure of early cold-weather preparation prompted the rapid introduction of a standardized reversible winter uniform system, of which this hood was an essential component.
 
Constructed from field-grey wool blend on one side and white cotton on the reverse, the Kopfhaube allowed soldiers to adapt instantly between combat and camouflage conditions—grey for standard operations and white for snow-covered terrain. The design offered full neck and shoulder coverage, multi-panel stitching for fit and flexibility, and cotton tie cords to secure it under the helmet or parka. Its dual-layer, reversible build provided both insulation and concealment, making it invaluable for infantry, vehicle crews, and sentries stationed in extreme cold.
 
The interior bears a clearly stamped maker’s mark: “Szillat & Co. Berlin C2”, a documented Berlin wartime manufacturer, alongside the size marking “57.” Examples bearing this specific maker’s mark are notably uncommon. Most surviving specimens are unmarked or heavily worn, making this one of the rarer documented variants of its type.
 
In excellent, museum-grade condition with only minor age toning to the cotton interior, this hood exemplifies the ingenuity and adaptation of mid-war German uniform design. It pairs perfectly with reversible parkas, trousers, and mittens of the same series—an outstanding and historically significant addition to any Wehrmacht or Eastern Front collection.