Original Item: Only One Available. The German Army M1934 Panzer Schutzmütze (Armor Protective Hat) is one of the most iconic and sought after pieces of headgear from WWII. Often referred to as the "Panzer Beret", in actuality it is a special protective headdress comprising two parts: The inner crash helmet and the outer black cover, which gives the hat the distinctive beret look. After the catastrophic winter of 1941-42 on the Eastern Front, the German military rapidly designed improved cold weather clothing. By the Fall of 1942, a variety of winter fur lined caps (Pelzmütze or Winterfellmütze) had been introduced. There were no standardized "model numbers", and they were made from a variety of materials. Additionally, the need to keep Panzer tanker troops warm inside of the colt metallic hull of the tank resulted in the combining a German Panzer Schutzmütze crash helmet with a Russian Front fur cap. fur cap, resulting in the German tanker's winter crash helmet.

As far as we can tell, these modifications were done in the field or at the arsenal level, and would utilize the body of the crash helmet, without the black "beret" on top, and use that to construct the winter helmet for a tanker on the Russian front. The body was combined with the Russian Front fur cap, with the entire exterior covered in olive rayon, and then fitted with the fur covered fold down flaps of the Russian Front fur cap (Pelzmütze). There are even some cases seen very large examples used and fitted directly, but this example looks to have used a 1938 dated panzer crash helmet, which was then updated.

As with the regular army version, the front visor is tack stitched open and is rarely seen in the "down" position. Many soldiers pinned or sewed insignia to it as is seen here. Most often encountered are the metal visor cap badges - the Heer Reichsadler Eagle (as seen on this example) or the SS skull. The flaps are usually held in the "up" (open) position by a single button one flap, which fits into a loop on the other flap, both of which are present on this example. It also has the cloth ties for securing the flaps under the chin.

The crash helmet is domed-shaped and made of rubber, now covered with olive brown rayon. Six black rubber ventilation grommets were originally fitted around the sides of the helmet, and can still be felt under the winter covering. The and the inside is lined with black oilskin cloth, showing the ventilation grommets, and has a tan leather sweatband sewn to the liner. The structure is still well retained, and the rubber has not crumbled as with others we have seen.

The leather sweatband is still in very good shape, showing moderate wear, and no major tears or other damage. It has a complete maker mark on the underside:

Uniformmützenfabrik
WIlhelm Wethekam
Dresden
1938

This is a fantastic opportunity to pick up an exceedingly rare piece of German WWII Headgear, modified during the war for use on the cold Russian front. Panzer items always are highly sought after, especially items like this, where so few have survived. Ready to add to your collection!