My Only Piece of German Headgear

[Swordfish]

This is my first, and probably last piece of headgear. I've always thought the tropical piths were cool. Fortunately, demand is low and they are not respected pieces like DD helmets. As such, this 2nd type came for around $150. Her brim leather is in kinda beat up, but the brim wire is intact. Her felt rates at almost perfect. Eventually, I intend to have it repaired. She's also missing her chin strap. So, should anyone have one for sale, please let me know.

[Swordfish]

A member on WA was selling a nice one complete with the strap, and decent leather brim for $400. Many members felt that was a bit too steep for a lowly 2nd type....considering a trove of unissued examples were found during the 70's. A collector had contacted me offered me this one at the price of $150 which works for a non-headgear collector like myself. I have always had a fascination with the DAK and the pith will probably be my only German cap I buy. Helmet prices are out of control these days.

[sscrooge]

nice pith, i have 1 in similar condition, i cant understand why they are still quite cheap ,no doubt 1 day they too will shoot up in price, rgds dave

[pvluger]

Not bad for the price. It's got great shields on it. Yeah, German headgear prices are getting outragous, but I did recently venture into purchasing an Allgemiene SS NCO. Of course, the price was just short of having to take a bullet in shoulder....:scared:

[Swordfish]

Thanks guys. Yep, this one came from one our friends who's a badge guys, specifically KM badges. Spends most of his time at WAF and GCA. $150 was the price. This is a nice, issued and used helmet. The felt is mint as are the shields. Her only drawbacks are her missing chin strap and some frayed brim leather.

Another popped up for sale on WAF yesterday. This one mint. Complete with chin strap, mint shields, perfet leather. ONly issue is small areas of discoloration to the felt. Hardly noticeable. Otherwise, mint to the core. It was one of the unissued pieces discovered in the 60s or 70s. This one also is a 2nd type, JHS. She came up for $275 and I had to grab her.

I'm no headgear guy at all. However, I really do have a liking for the pith helmets. I don't know why. It probably goes back to my child hood. At any rate, now I own 2 piths, both JHS 2nd types, and a USAAF pilots/officer crusher cap. That's probably going to be it for me. Helmet are just too expensive and too much of a mine field. Beat down examples can be had for $800-1100. For the nice ones, a DD heer seems to be running in the $1200-$2000 range. Way too much for me. I had bought a DD SS helmet a long time ago, turned out to be a repro. Water slide decals. It was $200 or so. It promptly went back to the seller. That was it for me. No more helmets. I'll stick to what I like and what I know, as boring as they may be.

I'll post the newest pith when she arrives.

t

[Bob Hartman]

I understand your "pain" as far as helmet prices are concerned. One facet of headgear collecting that I think is under valued and will probably improve is Russian and Italian lids. They are still quite low (price wise). I have a nice Italian that I think I paid $10 for a few years ago.

[Swordfish]

Bob, right on. You'll clearly make some $$ off the ten dollar Italian piece.

I have not bought as an investment, however I hope to make a little $$ of the sale of my items. As far as the piths go, I guess I just sort of like them. A first type would be nice, but for the money i'm happy to settle for teh 2nd types. Who knows, but I did add another 2nd minty pitch...this one was one fot unissued pieces. Thats more of a representative example as it's just about flaless. An excellent lid all in all.