Germany, Heer. A Tropical Pith Helmet, First Pattern, by B.K.

(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 an aluminum insignia consisting of a black shield bearing a raised Heer-style German national eagle, 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. One end of a partially-intact grey leather chinstrap is affixed to the left side. The obverse of the sweatband is stamped with a size mark of “57”, while the reverse bears a maker’s mark of “B.K. 42” for a documented but unidentified manufacturer of Wehrmacht tropical headgear. It measures approximately 27.5 cm (w) x 36 cm (l) x 19 cm (h). Issues consistent with age and field wear are evident, and include the loss of the tri-colour shield insignia, a tear to the crown material which has exposed and cracked the cork core, near-total loss of the leather brim liner, deterioration of the chinstrap, and evidence of moisture exposure throughout the core. This experienced example remains in a fair condition.