US$175 German Ww2 Wwii Afrika Korps Pith Helmet 1st Patern in Etobicoke, Ontario for sale

1ST PATERN GERMAN WWII AFRIKA KORPS TROPENHELM This is a really charming example of a 1st pattern german WWII tropenhelm. I received this helmet many years ago from an old English gentleman, Robert Hall, who had been a bombardier in the Canadian airforce during the 2nd World War. He was an eccentric character, who kept a 32cal revolver in his front entrance, sported a large beard, and drove a three wheel car. As a young man I had been envious that he had given his flying helmet to an other boy on the street. Being a very warm fellow, he gave me this pith helmet instead. Unfortunately he told me nothing about it other then that the brass shoulder title on the side of the helmet had been his fathers from the 1st World War. I had long assumed that the tropenhelm was a war souvenir from his service years, however upon some research, the general consensus among collectors seems to be that German WWII tropenhelms marked "GERMANY" or "MADE IN GERMANY" on the sweat band (as this 1 is) were wartime examples marked for export post-war. Regrettably this is a mystery that will not likely be solved. CONDITION: Both of the original German side badges are missing, although the holes left from their studs are still visible. The pith inside the helmet is fractured in multiple places, but is not crumbling. If pushed, the crown and the front brim of the helmet will sag, but if left to stand alone, they hold their shape quite well. The canvas helmet covering appears to have been pinned with a pair of safety pins many years ago in 1 place at the front of the helmet underneath the outer sweatband (not visible without lifting the band). The buckle, and a large portion of the-often missing-chin strap are present. The interior of the helmet is very clean. Overall the helmet is surprisingly structurally sound for a war-time pith, and is a good example of a rather rare helmet. Please do not hesitate to contact me with additional questions. Please contact me for international shipping quotes.