WW2 Original German Army (Heer) Tropical Pith Helmet Insignia Eagle Shield
SKU: 892
Original/Reproduction: Original
Availability: In-stock
Manufacturer:
Date Manufactured: 1939-1945
Materials / Construction: Die struck zinc-alloy base
Condition: Excellent
Price: $100.00
Seller Type: WW2C
Seller ID: JMW
Code: RD64
Return Policy: 3-day inspection and return policy on used guns and accessories.
Description
Original World War II German Army (Heer) Tropical Pith Helmet Eagle Shield Insignia. This Insignia was designed for attachment to the German tropical sun helmet, commonly known as the Tropenhelm or tropical pith helmet. The Tropical Pith Helmet was worn by German Army (Heer) personnel serving in the tropics during World War II.
German tropical pith helmets were introduced for personnel serving in hot-weather and tropical environments. They are most closely associated with German forces operating in North Africa and the Mediterranean theater, particularly during the campaigns of 1941–1943, although tropical equipment was also encountered in southern Europe and other warm-weather areas.
Historical Background
As helmet was used by German Army (Heer) troops serving in hot weather / tropical area of operation in World War II. Much of this tropical gear was used by German troops serving in North Africa and Mediterranean. Additionally German troops served in tropical environment in southern part of Europe as well as tropical areas of Asia and elsewhere in the world. Tropical helmets were issued to German Army personnel serving in the hot weather / tropical climates around the world. There were German forces serving in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations as well as in other areas of Europe. All in all, German tropical equipment is collectible because it was issued to and used by German Army personnel during the Second World War. In addition, because German forces fought in many parts of the world, particularly in the early years of the war, as well as in the latter years of the war, tropical equipment is also interesting to collectors of German World War II Militaria in general. In addition to equipment, such as this helmet, there is also a wide array of German Army tropical uniform items which can be collected, such as tropical uniform, German Army tropical military insignia, goggles, and other gear. This is the Heer Eagle Shield Insignia which was designed to be attached to the side of the German tropical sun helmet, commonly referred to as the Tropenhelm or tropical pith helmet.
Construction & Design
This tropical helmet insignia is of the elongated type of shield that was typically used for tropical helmet insignia of the German Army. The face of this insignia is a German Army eagle with outstretched wings. Above the eagle’s body is a, reversed, (as viewed from the rear of the helmet) embossed swastika. The entire emblem is surrounded by a shield-shaped border which is typical for this type of insignia. There were typically two shields, one for the national colors and one for the Heer Eagle Shield, which was this item. The German makers of Insignia from the period of the Third Reich for use on German tropical helmet, such as this item, were numerous and there are many variations with the construction of these Insignia, the finish, the type of attachment to the helmet, the style of design of the Eagle used on the shield, and the many various marks, and or stamps, that appear on the individual items. On the reverse side of the insignia there are prongs or a pin for attaching to the helmet while it is being worn as a shield.
Condition
This original World War II German Heer tropical pith helmet eagle shield Insignia is in excellent condition for being over 80 years old. The outline of the eagle, the wings, the swastika as well as the field of the shield and the border of the shield are all very sharp. There is some wear, patina, oxidation and loss of finish to the item, all typical for an item of this age which has been used in the field. A lovely Insignia, for advanced German militaria collectors, or to complete a Heer tropical pith helmet currently lacking this type of Eagle shield.
Collector Significance
Tropical helmet insignia have become very collectable over the last few years. Many pith helmets are found without one or both of the shield's, as the German Eagle shield's were designed to be removed from the helmet. It is not unusual to find pith helmets from World War II, or found many years later, without their helmet badges or even both of their shield's. This item is very useful for the German military collector, especially for reassembling a Tropical helmet missing the Heer eagle shield. Tropical equipment of the German Army from World War II is a very specialized field. This type of equipment was issued to German Army troops fighting in the many campaigns in North Africa and the Mediterranean. There are many very knowledgeable and serious collectors of German Army Militaria. These collectors can be broadly categorized into two main groups. There are those who collect German Army Militaria in general, and there are those who specialize in field gear, which would include tropical equipment. The helmet eagles and their corresponding shields are an integral part of the helmet and are looked at with great interest by all collectors of German Army Militaria, especially helmet eagles and their corresponding shields for the Tropenhelm / tropical pith helmet. Other items of tropical German Army equipment that are of great interest are tropical officer and enlisted men’s tunics and trousers, tropical officer caps, goggles, belts and more.
Highlights
- Original WWII German military manufacture
- German Army (Heer) tropical helmet insignia
- Tropenhelm / Tropical Pith Helmet Insignia
- Distinctive Heer eagle and swastika shield design
- Period removable helmet insignia
- Fit for German tropical and North African field equipment.
- A great replacement for a Heer pith helmet shield which has gone.
- A great addition to any WWII German Insignia collection.
- Excellent overall condition
- Approximately 80+ years old Collector's Summary A very attractive Original WWII German Army (Heer) Tropical Pith Helmet Eagle Shield Insignia. These helmet shields were a very distinctive part of the German tropical helmet and were part of the German Army (Heer) tropical equipment used in the many tropical and desert locations around the world. This would make a great addition to any collection of German tropical war insignia or to complete a Heer Tropenhelm that is lacking the eagle shield. Excellent historical value and tremendous collector interest.
This would make a great addition to any collection of German tropical war insignia or to complete a Heer Tropenhelm that is lacking the eagle shield. Excellent historical value and tremendous collector interest.
