Germany, Heer. A Tropical Helmet, First Pattern, By Orl

(Heer Tropenhelm). A well-preserved, first-pattern Heer tropical helmet, constructed of a woven wicker shell consisting of a central canister with an outward-flaring brim. The exterior is fully lined in a khaki-coloured canvas twill liner. Topping the crown is a zink-reinforced ventilation shaft opening into the interior, with a canvas-lined rounded swivel guard set at the exterior. A band of khaki-coloured cotton twill lines the exterior at the seam of the brim. The canister is flanked on each side with three holes for the accommodation of insignia, which have since been lost. Completing the exterior features is a grey leather liner reinforcing the rim, secured in place with machine stitching. Riveted to the circumference of the interior is a grey bakelite composite band which secures in place a light brown leather sweatband, reinforced with a grey wool liner, while two short lengths of brown leather emanate from the sides of the shell. The latter are the remnants of a chinstrap which has since been lost. A red cotton twill liner fully encompasses the interior of the cylinder. Double maker’s mark are set into the sweatband, with an embossed logo of “ORL” on the exterior, and a stamped “ORL” mark on the interior with a manufacture date of “1942”. An additional illegible size stamp is set onto the reverse of the sweatband. The helmet measures 280 mm (w) x 360 mm (l) x 180 mm (h). In addition to the missing insignia and chinstrap, some issues consistent with age and use are evident, and include material fatigue of the leather elements, some oxidation of the zink reinforcements, and minor soiling of the canvas. This field-used example is in an overall very fine condition.

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