Unissued Pith Question

[SwordFish]

Can one of the lid collectors elaborate on the stockpile of 2nd type tropical piths that were located back in the 60's/70's? From the markings, it looks as though they were intended for export. Were they located in Germany or a staging supply area outside the county? About how large was the located stockpile?i I ask because I recently acquired one and am curious about the details. I've heard the cursory story, but am unfamiliar with the actual details.

Thanks in advance.

PS- Tim, I appreciate you elaborating on the pith prices in my previous post.

Good collecting,
Tom

[Bob Coleman]

THE PITH HELMETS YOU REFER TO WERE LOCATED IN THE EARLY 1960'S. ALL WERE STAMPED UNDER THE LINER WITH "MADE IN GERMANY." SOME DEALERS TRIED SANDING THE STAMPS OFF TO INCREASE THEIR MARKETABILITY. I NO LONGER RECALL WHERE THEY WERE LOCATED BUT I AM SURE ANOTHER OF OUR SEASONED VETERANS WILL KNOW. THEY WERE EVEN SOLD IN ADS IN THE BACK OF MEN'S ADVENTURE MAGAZINES AT THE TIME FOR $5.99! tHEY WERE LOCATED BEFORE THE BIG LOAD OF LUFTWAFFE AND GRAY HJ M-43 CAPS, PARATROOPER BANDOLEERS AND UNISSUED ENLISTED GRADE FLIEGER BLOUSES AROUND 1965. THE BLOUSES COULD BE ORDERED IN ANY SIZE AND BRANCH COLOR WITH PREATTACHED BLANK COLLAR TABS. THOSE WERE THE DAYS.

[Tim O'Keefe]

Hi Tom

The second model Piths with the "Made in Germany" stamp were stamped so they could be imported and sold in America, as items must say where they are made if imported to the States by law. I remember when growing up, every City block seemed to have at least one Pith resting in somebodys garage...

Tim

[uknews]

One small point i would like to add for the sake of historical accuracy is that the 'Made in Germany' piths were not exclusively second model felt piths.....the one i own is a first model and i've seen several other first models similarly stamped.
Cheers, Mark.

[Jamz]

Mine too Talked about this before. Here's the army shield off mine.
Took a chance taking it off but I wanted to know for sure, worked out this time.
I'm satisfied, and not taking the other off.
I remember those adds, but that kind of money was hard to get for an 8 year old. John

[Jamz]

Front

[Tim O'Keefe]

Yes the surplus first model piths were also stamped & exported after the war to USA.
These stamped surplus piths were not the ones on the city blocks in my neighborhood, those were all salty used first patterns