Germany, Heer. A First Pattern Pith Helmet, by Keller & Co.

(Heer Tropenhelm). A first pattern Heer pith helmet, constructed of a pressed cork shell fully lined on the exterior with a khaki-tan cotton twill liner. It features a central canister which is topped by a dome covering a ventilation shaft which extends into the crown. The canister is flanked on each side by shield insignia, each measuring 35 mm (w) x 40 mm (h) and constructed of a bronze alloy. The right shield features a Wehrmacht black, white (presenting in silver), and red Wehrmacht tri-colour scheme, while the left side bears a raised and silvered Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika on a black background. A band of identical khaki-tan cotton construction surrounds the base of the canister and covers an array of rivets which secure the interior fixtures in place. The interior of the crown is lined with a layer of red cotton, and features a brown leather sweatband. The latter folds down to reveal a stamped leather worker’s mark of “J. PAUL & CO., OBERTSHAUSEN”, with a manufacture date of “1941”, while both the sweatband and crown ventilation shaft are maker marked “KELLER & CO., OBERLEUTENSDORF”. Issues consistent with age and field wear are evident, and include material fatigue and soiling to the exterior liner, the loss of the rim’s leather reinforcement, the loss of the chinstrap, and some softening of the shell consistent with moisture exposure. This field-worn example most commonly worn by the Afrikakorps remains in a very fine condition.