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Condition: Near Mint
Base Material: Aluminum
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Product Description: This Aluminum Tri-Color Pith Shield is an unissued original example, in outstanding condition. This shield, with the red, white and black national colors of the German Reich, was used on the tropical pith helmets issued to Wehrmacht units operating in Afrika and elsewhere on the southern front. It’s very difficult to find these aluminum Pith Helmet shields in near mint condition, as this one is. The obverse retains all of the original red and black paint, with no chips or damage. There is no wear and not even any toning; it has a fresh, new appearance, with crisp details. The reverse is flat and smooth, and is unmarked, as most of these were. All three of the original round aluminum wire prongs are intact, held in place with the original crimps. The prongs are even still turned down from the factory, and never moved since production. This is a veteran bring-back souvenir, and was among the items brought back by the same veteran who brought home the buckle collection that we are also offering for sale. This Aluminum Tri-Color Pith Shield would likely be impossible to upgrade.
Historical Description: The pith helmet is one of the most iconic aspects of the tropical uniform worn by German personnel in WWII. Besides being worn by Rommel’s Afrikakorps, pith helmets were also worn in all areas on the Southern Front, where tropical uniforms were issued. These areas included Italy, the Mediterranean, and southern Russia. Pith helmets were part of the uniform issued by the German Army, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, and the Waffen-SS. The chief visible difference among the pith helmets used by these various organizations, were the metal badges affixed to each side. These were made in the style of the branch decals used on the steel helmet. Early pith helmets were made with a twill fabric outer covering. Later, second pattern examples were covered with felt. As German troops withdrew from Afrika, many pith helmets sat unissued in warehouses, where they were recovered by Allied forces at the end of the war. At one time, later pattern examples were relatively common. With the passage of time, complete original examples, especially in nice condition, have become much harder to find.
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