police pith helmet

[corkym909]

I was just reading all the posts on tropical headgear and police piths. I have had this one for a number of years and had never removed the liner , however I did so today to take pictures . I was reading the debates over tri colors and national shield . Anyhow here are the pics of the pins ,I do not want to remove them because i think i would have a stroke if i broke a pin !!

<a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=20hrr85" target="_blank"><img src="http://i59.tinypic.com/20hrr85.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

<a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=2v9bts3" target="_blank"><img src="http://i62.tinypic.com/2v9bts3.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

<a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=x5p0s3" target="_blank"><img src="http://i57.tinypic.com/x5p0s3.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

<a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=15hfjb7" target="_blank"><img src="http://i62.tinypic.com/15hfjb7.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

<a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=abld91" target="_blank"><img src="http://i59.tinypic.com/abld91.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

[-Ray-]

Undoubtedly an original pith helmet. However, w/o provenance would regard this example as a common Heer pith with an added POL insignia (no telling when) to the effect of increasing value/rarity/desirability etc.


-Ray-

[Tim O'Keefe]

Undoubtedly an original pith helmet. However, w/o provenance would regard this example as a common Heer pith with an added POL insignia (no telling when) to the effect of increasing value/rarity/desirability etc.


-Ray-

Agree completely, it is an unissued Herr 2nd pattern helmet with the Police badge added post war to increase its value imo.

[corkym909]

There are pictures of police piths in wear , however lets say it was added post war for value , I personally haven't seen a 3 post police cockade before . Just food for thought

[NickG]

I would expect to see a Polizei emblem paired with a swastika shield...
As those seen on SS pith helmets...

Like these decals:

http://www.german-helmets.com/DECAL%20APPLICATION.htm

[W.Unland]

As a police collector I would repsectfully point out that police cap badges, particularly NCO grade, had two pins, not three, so this is probably a good pith helmet insignia. To the above poster, there were indeed three pin police cap eagles, but these were always on high relief officer's quality insignia, not the flat standard type shown in the above photo.

I do agree with NickG that I would expect an SS style swastika rather than a tricolor shield. That said, with police, particularly civil police, as opposed to militarized police units....anything goes. there was no RZM or depot control of civil uniforms. Control of uniform appearance was unit based and varied depending on supplier used and availability of insignia and uniform items to purchase. I certainly wouldn't discount this piece because it is an army style helmet. I doubt the police ever had a "special" pith helmet made and would have used whatever was available to them where they were assigned.

As with any piece it is impossible to tell when this was put together, but from what I see, there is nothing to discount this from potentially being from the period.

Just my thoughts.

W.Unland