Originally finished in a dark paint, this paratrooper helmet has been oversprayed with pink-tinted khaki paint. This style of paint is associated with Luftwaffe units active in the Mediterranean Theater, in particular the region of Tunisia. The exterior is free of decals, with the signature trimmed skirt and four spanner bolts for the webbing. The original paint color is visible in the interior, with "1278" stamped in the rear, "ET68" on the left side, gray leather chinstraps and a brown leather liner ink fitted in an aluminum frame and stamped "Kopfweite: Gr.59/Stahlhelm-Gr.68" and "Baumuster: Heisler, Berlin (illeg)/Herstaller: F.W. Muller Jr" and faintly hand-signed "Oetting". Oetting has not been positively identified but may have been the original user of the helmet. Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection

Very good, showing traditional signs of travel and wear. About 80% of the pink khaki is present, with wear on the top and edge showing both base metal and original paint, along with a number of light scratches and scuffs. The interior shows mild spotting, with the leather generally solid and showing the kind of light cracking and sweat "salting" associated with field use. Overall a fine tropical paratrooper helmet.