Germany, Heer. A Tropical Pith Helmet, Second Pattern, by APN

(Heer Tropenhelm, 2. Form). A second pattern Heer tropical pith helmet, constructed of a pressed cork shell which is fully lined on the exterior with olive-drab felt. It features a central canister topped on the crown by a ventilation shaft hidden by a dome lined in identical felt. The canister is flanked by insignia constructed of a zink alloy, with the right side featuring a red, white (substituted with silver base metal), and black Wehrmacht tri-colour, and the left side consisting of a black shield bearing a raised and silvered Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika. Each insignia measures 35 mm (w) x 42 mm (h). A band of olive-drab felt surrounds the lower edge of the canister where it meets a wide brim, itself trimmed along the outer edge with olive-drab leather. The interior of the canister is fully encompassed by a dark green cotton liner, and features a scalloped ring which accommodates a light brown leather sweatband. It completes with a red felt crown which is topped by a brass ventilation fixture. The sweatband folds down to reveal a maker’s mark of “APN” for a documented but unidentified manufacturer of Wehrmacht tropical headgear, with size mark of “56”, and a manufacture date of “1942”. It measures 27 cm (w) x 34.5 cm (l) x 16 cm (h). Issues consistent with age and field use are evident, and include material fatigue throughout the exterior felt liner, some flattening of the crown, fatigue of the rim liner, and the loss of the chinstrap. This highly-experienced pith helmet remains in a fair condition.