Original RARE WWII German Navy (Kreigsmarine) TROPICAL PITH HELMET Shield Matching Set Certified

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Original RARE WWII German Navy (Kreigsmarine) TROPICAL PITH HELMET Shield Matching Set Certified. German Naval uniforms and headgear were based on traditional designs that date back to the creation of the Prussian Navy in 1848, and although the uniforms and headgear did evolve during the interim years, many items used during the Third Reich would still have been quite recognizable to the Imperial sailor. The German navy also had a long tradition of brown and white tropical/landing dress that was worn in hot climates with the white uniform also serving as a walking out dress. The tradition was continued through the Weimar era and in 1929 the Reichsmarine introduced new brown and white tropical/landing dress uniforms with stand-up collars. In 1937 the Kriegsmarine introduced new style brown and white tropical uniforms with lay down collars. With the impending entrance into the North African campaign in late 1940 the Kriegsmarine developed another new tropical brown uniform independently from the Heer and Luftwaffe, but retained the 1937 pattern white uniform. The Kriegsmarine was the first branch of service to utilize a pith helmet and its development can be traced back as far as 1856 when the first pattern was introduced into the Prussian Navy. The Kriegsmarine pith helmet underwent numerous design alterations from its inception until a final pattern was decided on September 2ND 1940. Originally Officer ranks were distinguished by dual, gilt, braid tress but that was replaced with a short lived, large national eagle worn of the front center of the helmet. The large national eagle was soon replaced with two smaller shields with a national tri-color shield to be attached to the right side of the helmet and a national eagle shield to be attached to the left side of the helmet. The roughly, 41mm tall, 35mm wide, stamped alloy national eagle shield features a gilt washed, nicely detailed, recessed Wehrmacht style eagle with down swept wings on a black finished, background shield shape base. The Kriegsmarine version doesn’t have the raised lip to the outer edges as the army’s version. The gilt finished reverse of the shield is a mirror image of the obverse and all three soldered attachment prongs are intact. The Matching National shield is also present. The reverse of the shield is well marked with the embossed, manufacturer’s initials.  Pulled out of a 40 year collection and was a direct Vet purchase by them. Nice example showing the expected minor age and wear overall good condition.   One of the classic desirable collector’s items   from the Third Reich  in good condition.   Gettysburg Museum Certified (COA) provided. 100% Guaranteed to be authentic. Sold for historic purposes only. See our other pieces on our web site.    Also note when browsing our web site there are several pages of items, at the bottom of the list look for other page numbers. RARE MATCHING SET , DO NOT MISS THIS!