Original German WWII French-made DAK Afrikakorps Tropical Sun Helmet with Tri-Color Cockade – dated 1940 Original Items

Original Item: On first deployment to North Africa in 1941, Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK) troops were issued with the traditional European sun helmet known as Tropische Kopfbedeckung, of the type known to the British forces as the solar topi (or topee). In the German case, there were several models made, with the first model having cotton outer covering made of six fabric panels sewn together.

However, we quickly noticed that this example has four panels on the outside, instead of six, and the prominent ventilation holes in the inside crown lining were missing. In an interesting variation, it has a metal German Tri-Color cockade in the front center with a red felt insert in the middle. It does not have the usual badges on either side, and research indicates that this may have been for some type of administrative official, in use before the official patterns were introduced.

A closer look shows that while this was indeed used by the DAK, it was in fact made in France, during the year when Germany invaded and took over the country. The original khaki cloth covering is intact and retains its original color. The helmet band, is in very good condition, and still hides the liner split pins. The rim is cloth, not leather like the German type. It unfortunately does not have a chin strap, though the split pins for it are still present, visible to the sides of the liner.

The interior of the helmet is still in good condition, though unlike the German issue, the underside looks to be lined with dark navy blue or black, now faded to a greenish color. Inside there is a round manufacturer stamp with a maker name at top over a date of 40 in the center. The bottom of the stamp indicates it was made in the French city of MARSEILLE. This is a port city on the Southern Coast of France, and is exactly where a German Soldier might have embarked for the voyage to the North African countries of Algiers or Tunisia. After the fall of France in 1940, these were now under the control of the German-sympathetic Vichy French government. The liner itself is in very good condition, with the black finished leather still supple, and the 8 cork spacers still intact. 

The top crown vent under side is marked B’TE S.G.D.G., which stands for Breveté Sans Garantie Du Gouvernement, or “Patented Without Government Guarantee”. This type of marking would only be ween on a French made helmet, and all of the other aspects are completely correct.

A wonderful French-made Sun helmet, with some interesting research potential! This will make a great addition to any German WWII Afrikakorps collection.