Tropmhelm markings - help pls

[Theodor]

Hi,

Seems I dreamed too much for a Tropenhelm - I dreamed for a long time to find such, and now only in a few days got one and then a second Again greenish color, again no badges and again clearly seen it belonged to the Luftwaffe.
I want to ask you about its markings. On the visible part of the liner there is a big pressed stamp /not ink stamp, but pressed stamp/ - a triangle, inside the triangle the letters ORL in its angles and a wheat plant in the center. Inside the liner there is an ink stamp - again the ORL letters and year 1942.
Can you please tell me what ORL is? /I very much believe this is the code or abbreviation for the maker - which maker this is?/ Thanks in advance!

[Edelweiss]

If I don't make a mistake, the maker is the Hutfabrik Ottmar Reich, Lindenberg (Bavaria). Below the logo you described, here inside a tan LW pith helmet.

[Theodor]

If I don't make a mistake, the maker is the Hutfabrik Ottman Reich, Lindenberg (Bavaria). Below the logo you described, here inside a tan LW pith helmet.

Thank you very much, Chris!!!!! Ineed that's it!!! You're great!!
Is that a kind of rare manufacturer? Because I asked several collectors and noone knew.

[Edelweiss]

More info on this one : it's dated 1943 (the first one I have that is not dated 1942) and Rb numbered.
I'm not especially collecting pith helmets, neither you, and both of us have one ; so I don't think it's a very rare fabrication.

But on the fact that's the nicest logo ever, there's absolutely no doubt...

[Theodor]

...and the Hutfabrik Ottmar Reich still exists today. And produces... surprise!!!... hats!




More pictures here:
http://www.fotopool.de/search/show_r...asp?startpic=1

[Edelweiss]

Yes, interesting ; here's a short history of the city (Lindenberg) : notice the "1939" date AND logo !
http://www.lindenberg.de/portraet/geschichte.html

[Theodor]

Yes, very interesting! I found myself this site, but ignore it because do not speak German. Now that you mentioned, I saw the 1939 entry - very interesting!

[Edelweiss]

It says :
1939 : Beginning of WWII. Hat production is paralyzed until 1945. The industry must turn itself torwards war-important products such as tropical helmets for Rommel's army in North Africa, snow shoes, gas masks for horses, life boats, etc..

[Theodor]

It says :
1939 : Beginning of WWII. Hat production is paralyzed until 1945. The industry must turn itself torwards war-important products such as tropical helmets for Rommel's army in North Africa, snow shoes, gas masks for horses, life boats, etc..

Thanks!

[Edelweiss]

And no doubt that if a collector gets one of those, he will surely imagine it on an Afrika Korps soldier's head...

[Theodor]

Wow, they were used on submarines too???