Germany, Heer. A Tropical Pith Helmet, Second Pattern

(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. A partially-intact slate-grey leather liner surrounds the rim. 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 multi-piece slate-grey chinstrap which is adjusted with a functional metal buckle. It completes with a red felt crown which is topped by a gilded brass ventilation fixture. The sweatband folds down to reveal a size mark of “56” and a handwritten letter “H”. Otherwise unmarked, it measures approximately 27.5 cm (w) x 34 cm (l) x 18 cm (h). Minor issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some bending throughout the brim, fatigue to the leather of both the rim liner and chinstrap, and oxidation of the crown ventilation fixture. This mid-war helmet remains in a better than very fine condition.