RARE GERMAN ARMY AFRIKA KORPS 1ST PATTERN UNIFORM PITH HELMET

Description

Army 1st issue tropical pith helmet. The helmet is made of formed cork, and is covered in a ribbed, tan/khaki cotton twill. The helmet features a six panel, vertically seamed, tan/khaki cotton twill crown. The ‘all around’ visor consists of a formed cork core with a two piece tan/khaki cotton twill covering with vertical stitched seams at each side. The edge of the visor is trimmed with stitched on olive green leather. The helmet has two stamped metal shields with the Heer style national eagle to the left side and the national tricolor shield to the right side. There are no extra holes, and the insignia is original to the helmet. The bottom edge of the visor is lined in ribbed, olive/khaki cotton twill and the interior crown is lined in light weight red cotton. The interior of the helmet has a tan leather sweatband, stitched to a pressed cardboard liner band which is attached to the helmet by six prongs. Size stamped 56 to leather liner. The age cracked but stable leather chinstrap is affixed to the front visor, being secured by aluminium posts to interior. Light general wear to outer cotton cover, with some separation of cover points, but nothing to detract. Rare to see the 1st pattern helmets, given many were discarded with the adoption of the more common 2nd pattern helmet, being introduced in 1942.