Germany, Heer. A Tropical Pith Helmet, First Pattern, by G.A. Hoffmann Helmfabrik

(Heer Tropenhelm, 1. Form). A first pattern Heer tropical pith helmet, constructed of pressed cork shell with a multi-piece khaki-tan cotton twill exterior liner. It features a central canister topped on the crown by a ventilation shaft hidden by a dome lined in identical cotton twill. The left side of the canister is pinned with a zink alloy insignia consisting of a black shield bearing a raised Heer-style German national eagle, measuring 35 mm (w) x 42 mm (h). Pinned onto the opposite side is a zink alloy insignia featuring a shield painted in a classic Wehrmacht black, white (substituted with silver), and red tri-colour, similarly measuring 35 mm (w) x 42 mm (h). A band of khaki-tan cotton twill lines the seam where the canister meets a flaring brim. The interior features a light brown leather sweatband and multi-piece red cotton twill liner throughout the crown, with a gilded alloy ventilation shaft set into the top of the crown. A brass clip emanates from the left side and retains a fully-intact slate-grey chinstrap. The reverse of the sweatband is stamped with a size mark of “56”, and bears a maker’s mark of “G.A.H. HELMFABRIK”, indicating a high-quality example produced by the firm of G.A. Hoffmann, Berlin. It measures approximately 25 cm (w) x 34 cm (l) x 28 cm (h). Issues consistent with age and field wear are evident, and include some soiling to the exterior material with softening of the cork shell consistent with the use of water as a coolant in the field, along with minor loss of finish to the insignia. This field-worn, first helmet pattern produced by an uncommon manufacturer of Wehrmacht pith helmets remains in a better than very fine condition.