VERY RARE Original WWII German Waffen SS FIRST PATTERN TROPICAL PITH HELMET. (Tropenhelm) Certified

SOLD

Original WWII German Waffen SS  FIRST PATTERN TROPICAL PITH HELMET. (Tropenhelm) Certified. In late 1940, with the impending German entrance into the North African campaign, tropical uniforms, headgear and equipment were quickly developed and issued in time for DAK, Deutsches Afrika Korps, (German Africa Corps), personnel’s arrival in Tripoli in February 1941. One of the new headgear items introduced was the tropical pith helmet which was based on the design of the earlier Kriegsmarine pith helmet. On its introduction the pith helmet was constructed of a formed cork base with a cotton twill covering until a second pattern pith helmet was introduced with a formed cork base with a felt covering. The second pattern pith helmet followed the same basic design as the first pattern but was modified to ease production time and material costs. Wear of the pith helmets was extended to personnel serving in southern areas of continental Europe but the helmets proved ineffective and unpopular and manufacture was discontinued sometime in 1942. On introduction the SS tropical pith helmets were outfitted with an SS ruin and Nazi Flag  identification shields. First pattern tropical pith helmet, with a formed, cork core covered in a ribbed, tan cotton twill. The helmet features a six panel, vertically seamed, tan cotton twill crown with a horizontal band stitched at the rear center at the juncture of the crown and the all around visor. The helmet has two stamped alloy shields with an SS ruin to the left side and a national Swastika  shield to the right side. The SS shield features a high relief, embossed, SS ruins. The Nazi flag shield features  the colors of red, white, and black on a slightly textured background field. Sweatband is complete. Chinstrap is complete . Some slight wear on the  Edge trim. some fading from use. Size is about  56. Nice example showing the expected minor age and wear overall good condition. Does have a STAIN (see photos).   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 SS 1st Pattern, DO NOT MISS THIS!