H59354 EM/NCO'S BLACK PANZER BERET/CRASH HELMET. (Schutzmütze) 

BACKGROUND: The black Panzer wrap uniform was originally introduced by the army on November 12^TH 1934, for wear by armored vehicle personnel and was worn through-out the war with minor modifications in 1936 and 1942. Allegedly the chief of the motorized troops, Oberst Heinz Guderian came up with the coloration and design of the form fitting uniform which he based on a popular ski outfit of the time and black was chosen as the color as it help conceal the grease and grime commonly encountered by motorized personnel. The uniform consisted of a specially designed wrap tunic, pants and the distinctive black Panzer beret/crash helmet which was originally the only officially sanctioned piece of headgear to be worn with that uniform. The black Panzer beret/crash helmet consisted of a separate, removable beret fitted to an underlying, formed, protective crash helmet. On its introduction the insignia for the beret was a white oak-leaf wreath and a national tri-color cockade excluding the national eagle. Regulations of October 1935 altered the wear of the insignia on the beret to include the national eagle. In 1939 the coloration of the wreath and the national eagle were altered from white to a less visible grey. The black Panzer beret proved impractical as wear of headphones was restricted and it was also considered unattractive, and uncomfortable which made it unpopular with the troops resulting in further production be halted as per regulations of January 15^TH 1941. Of Note: On May 29^TH 1940 a field-grey version of the panzer wrap uniform, including a beret/crash helmet was introduced for wear by Assault Gun crew personnel. The field-grey beret proved just as unpopular as the black version and was also discontinued on January 15^TH 1941. In 1943 existing stocks of the field-grey beret were reissued to crew members of the Panzerwerfer 42, (Armored Rocket Launcher), mounted on the Sd.Kfz.4/1 "Maultier".  

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The two piece headgear consists of a machine spun, black wool construction, detachable beret and a separate, black wool covered, protective crash helmet with a heavy internal padding. The beret is woven in the correct pattern with the circular weave being clearly visible and the top crown retains its original small lappet (pompom). The bottom edge of the beret has a dual-ply hem with a tunnel looped elastic designed to secure it to the crash helmet. The elastic has lost all of its elasticity. The front center of the beret has an early, (circa May 1934-1939), machine woven white oak-leave wreath encompassing a national tri-color cockade in black, white and red threads. The wreath and cockade are both mounted on a cut-out, woven, black rayon base which is machine stitched to the beret. The beret has no national eagle or any evidence of one ever having been applied. The beret is in overall very good condition with some small spots of light nap wear. The beret has no visible manufacturers markings. The exterior of the crash helmet has a black wool covering with heavy internal felt or sponge rubber padding and a deep, horizontal, indentation near the bottom edge designed to insert the tunnel looped elastic on the beret for a secure fit. The beret still fits snugly on the crash helmet in spite of the loss of elasticity. The crash helmet has six, large, evenly spaced, inserted, rubber ventilation grommets positioned around the middle of the body. The interior of the crash helmet is fully lined in black oilcloth, cut and stitched into six equal triangular sections. The oilcloth lining shows minor surface cracking. The interior of the crash helmet also has a wide, tan leather sweatband fully intact. The sweatband shows light chafe wear but the leather is still quite supple. The obverse of the sweatband is well marked with a black size inkstamp, "60", and the reverse has the partially blurred, black manufacturers name, location and date inkstamp that appears to be, "Uniformmützenfabrik Wilhelm Wethekam Dresden 1938". The crash helmet is in overall good condition with about a half dozen, pinhole sized moth nips to the black wool covering. Nice large sized example in overall very good condition. Rare.

To Order this item, please use one of the two e-mail addresses below to contact us. Please make sure to quote the item number in your e-mail

-E-Mail Address pawmac@nbnet.nb.ca  Or  guild@nb.aibn.com

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