Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII Heer 2nd Model tropical sun helmet manufactured by J.H. Soffel, dated 1942 and marked size 56. It retains its complete olive khaki felt covering, national and Heer shield insignia, leather chinstrap, edge trim, green felt underside, leather liner, red felt interior support, and vent assembly.

German troops serving in tropical climates were issued the Tropische Kopfbedeckung (Tropical headgear), commonly known in English as a sun helmet, pith helmet, or various other terms. The 2nd Model is distinguished by its felt covered exterior, replacing the multi-piece cloth covering associated with the earlier pattern.

The olive khaki felt exterior remains completely intact and retains its original color very well. The helmet band, which conceals the attachment points for the chinstrap and liner, is also in very good condition.

The original leather chinstrap remains complete. It shows expected cracking and wear where it bends over the brim but is still intact.

The gray leather edge trim is complete and retains its stitching. The leather shows general age and handling wear, together with several small tears. At one point the internal metal stiffener wire is beginning to project through the damaged trim.

The helmet carries two metal shields. The right side bears the national tricolor shield, while the left side carries the closed-wing Heer eagle shield.

Both shields retain their painted finish very well and remain firmly attached. They appear to be constructed from aluminum or possibly an aluminized zinc alloy.

The underside retains its original green felt covering. The felt shows moth tracking through the surface nap over a substantial area. This damage is concentrated on the protected underside and does not extend through the exterior covering as described.

The natural leather liner remains in excellent condition. It is supple, retains an attractive light leather color, and shows no major tearing.

The liner is embossed:

JHS

This marking identifies J.H. Soffel as the manufacturer, a known maker of these helmets, with many examples previously handled.

The underside of the sweatband is marked:

56 - 1942

These markings indicate the stated size and date of manufacture.

The rigid red felt interior lining remains fully intact. The upper vent fitting is also complete, though the metal surfaces show oxidation.

Overall condition is very good. The helmet remains substantially complete and shows only light period wear to the exterior. The most notable condition issues are the underside moth tracking, chinstrap cracking, worn leather edge trim, several small tears, exposed stiffener wire, and oxidation to the upper vent fitting.

With its complete 2nd Model felt construction, 1942 date, J.H. Soffel maker marking, size 56 liner, intact chinstrap, well-preserved exterior color, fully painted national and Heer shields, and complete internal components, this is an appealing example of German tropical headgear. The underside moth tracking, leather wear, edge tears, exposed stiffener wire, and vent oxidation are fully disclosed. It would display particularly well in a Heer tropical uniform, North Africa campaign, DAK, German field headgear, or advanced WWII helmet collection.