Germany, Luftwaffe. A Winter Flight Helmet, by Striegel & Wagner

(Luftwaffe Fliegerkopfhaube). An extremely well-preserved Luftwaffe winter flight helmet, constructed of multiple panels of dark brown leather. It features a retractable brown cotton strap with a magnetic metal buckle that extends into the structure over the crown, with two additional brown leather straps flanking the back for the accommodation of goggles, fastening closed with brown-painted magnetic metal snap buttons. Two brown leather straps perforated with an array of adjustment eyelets descend from the chin for a secure fit. The interior is fully encompassed by a white sherpa-style wool liner to mitigate hostile temperatures while in flight, and is overlaid across the forehead by a brown leather sweatband. Inset into the seam of the crown is a maker’s label reading “STRIEGEL & WAGNER, LICTHENFELS/BAYER. OSTMARK”, for the noted Luftwaffe flight gear manufacturer. An additional Luftwaffe code and date of “41” is stamped onto the left chinstrap. It measures approximately 27.5 cm (w) x 25 cm (h) (exclusive of chinstraps) when folded on a flat surface. Demonstrating only minor, age-appropriate material fatigue, the cap remains in a near extremely fine condition.