Germany, Heer. A Tropical Pith Helmet, II Pattern, by J. Hückel’s Söhne

(Heer Tropenhelm). A very well-preserved second pattern Heer tropical pith helmet, constructed of a pressed cork shell fully lined on the exterior with an olive-drab felt liner. It features a central canister topped on the crown by a ventilation shaft hidden by an olive-drab felt-lined dome. The canister is flanked on each side by aluminum shield insignia. Each measuring 38 mm (w) x 45 mm (h), the right side features a raised and silvered Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika on a black background, while the right side bears a black, white (finished in silver for contrast), and red Wehrmacht tricolour motif. A black olive-drab felt band fully surrounding the base of the canister covers eight rivets which secure the interior fixtures in place. A partially-intact olive-drab leather liner surrounds the rim. A dark green leatherette ring surrounds the interior of the canister base, held in place with the exterior rivets. It retains a fully-intact light brown leather sweatband which bears a maker’s mark of “JHS”, indicating manufacture by J. Hückel’s Söhne, Neutitschein (now Nový Jičín, Czech Republic), and an import mark of “GERMANY”. The crown body is composed of a pressed red felt shell. Also emanating from the canister rivets is an intact dark grey leather chinstrap, adjusted with a functional magnetic metal rivet. Minor issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include moderate deterioration of the rim liner, along with minor wear to the chinstrap. The helmet is in an overall near extremely fine condition.