Imperial German Army WW1 AIR SERVICE PILOT SHEEPSKIN LINED LEATHER FLIGHT HELMET
The Imperial German Army Air Service pioneered the earliest forms of air combat, which progressed from rudimentary skirmishes between observation planes to massive fleets contending for air supremacy over the Western Front. Legends such as Richtofen, Boelcke, and Immelmann developed lethal dogfighting tactics that still hold true to this day. Imperial German pilots of WW1 wore a distinctive leather flight helmet with sewn crown panels, snap closure ear flaps, an elongated neck flap, and a warm sheepskin fleece lining. This Imperial German Army WW1 AIR SERVICE PILOT SHEEPSKIN LINED LEATHER FLIGHT HELMET is in good condition, with a small surface tear in the right side of the neck flap, moderate drying to the chinstrap, the leather top crown pass-through strap having been removed, some scattered "browning" and bare patching to the lining, and with some overall age wear evident (ALL pictured).
Otherwise, the helmet is in fine shape, with no other damage to the tough dark brown leather construction. Most interestingly, it boasts the classic sewn crown panel design, brown finished brass "glove" snap closure ear flaps, warm sheepskin fleece lining, and elongated neck flap, the latter of which itself features a brown moleskin lining and a brown finished brass "glove" snap fastener, sports the original leather strap and metal buckle closure chinstrap, and is a fine example of a very rare, original Imperial German Army WW1 AIR SERVICE PILOT SHEEPSKIN LINED LEATHER FLIGHT HELMET. The item "Imperial German Army WW1 AIR SERVICE PILOT SHEEPSKIN LINED LEATHER FLIGHT HELMET" is in sale since Sunday, August 9, 2020.
This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\WW I (1914-18)\Original Period Items\Germany\Hats & Helmets". The seller is "abramsantiques" and is located in Claremont, California. This item can be shipped worldwide.