Germany, Heer. An Early and Rare Panzer Beret, by Carl Halfar

(Panzerschutzmütze). An early, rare, and extremely well-preserved Heer Panzer Beret, constructed of black wool. Designed as a functional crash helmet, the beret is constructed of a padded black wool shell and features a reinforced pressed black leather internal ring design to mitigate the effects of impacts on the wearer’s head. The crown is perforated with 16 ventilation holes, all reinforced with blackened non-magnetic metal grommets. Stitched onto the peak is an insignia consisting of a black rayon backer bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika. The interior is fully encompassed by a multi-piece black rayon-blended liner, with the crown retaining a partially-legible maker’s mark of “CARL HALFAR, UNIFORM-MÜTZENFABRIK, BERLIN”, along with a size mark of “59”. The side walls are lined with a fully-intact brown leather sweatband measuring 45 mm in width, while the helmet measures approximately 230 mm in total diameter. It is accompanied by its original and custom-fitted beret-style liner, similarly constructed of smooth black wool. Stitched onto the peak is an insignia consisting of a black rayon backer bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, measuring 65 mm (w) x 25 mm (h) overall. Directly below the eagle, the beret features an additional insignia consisting of a black rayon backer bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey oak leaf wreath surrounding a tricolour cockade, measuring 75 mm (w) x 45 mm (h). Minor issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some distortion of the interior ring, two small patches of mothing to the exterior wool of the helmet, and minor soiling of the beret’s insignia. This exceptionally rare and matching set is in an overall extremely fine condition.