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

(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 zink, with the right side featuring a red, white (substituted with silver base metal), and black Wehrmacht tri-colour, and the alloy left side shield 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. The left side of the rim retains a magnetic metal hook which accommodates a partially-intact slate-grey leather sweatband, with the opposite end lost to time. It completes with a red felt crown which is topped by a brass ventilation fixture. The sweatband is stamped with a maker’s mark of “JTA” for a documented but unidentified manufacturer of Wehrmacht tropical headgear, along with a manufacture date of “1942”. The reverse is stamped with a size mark of “56”. Additional illegible stamped and handwritten marks are visible on the obverse of the sweatband, some of which appear to read “GERMANY”, possibly indicating a veteran souvenir or post-war use as a film prop. It measures 28 cm (w) x 34 cm (l) x 19 cm (h). Issues consistent with age and field use are evident, and include replacement of the crown dome, replacement of the canister band, and deterioration of the brim liner. This interesting example remains in a very fine condition.