Germany, Heer. A Second Pattern Pith Helmet, by Johann Hückel & Söhne

(Heer Tropenhelm). A well-preserved second pattern Heer pith helmet, constructed of an olive-drab felt. It features a central canister with a cork core, perforated at the crown with a ventilation shaft topped by a dome covered in identical felt. The canister is flanked by shields constructed of a non-magnetic metal alloy and measuring 36 mm (w) x 42 mm (h). The left shield consists of a black field bearing a raised and silvered Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, while the right side features a red, white (substituted with silver), and black Wehrmacht tri-colour motif. An olive-drab felt strap covered the seam where the canister transitions in a brim. The interior is fully encompassed by a multi-piece liner consisting of dark green throughout the shell with a reinforced red felt crown. A light brown leather sweatband circumscribes the interior, and bears an embossed maker’s mark of “JHS” for the firm of Johann Hückel & Söhne, a noted and prolific manufacturer of Wehrmacht pith helmets. An intact olive-drab leather chinstrap emanates from the crown and is secured in place across the peak, adjustable with dual magnetic metal buckles. The helmet measures approximately 28 cm (w) x 36 cm (l) x 18 cm (h) overall. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some soiling the base material, loss of finish to shields, the loss of the brown leather reinforcement formerly surrounding the rim, some tearing of the crown liner, and some material fatigue to the chinstrap. This second pattern pith helmet remains in a very fine condition.