BellyTank - What is it?

[scotrace]

In an earlier post, I mentioned that I live near one of the largest antique malls in the United States. I get my hair cut across the street from it twice a month, and walk through the mall after. Last time, I spotted a felt-covered helmet, and promised to get pics next time I was there.
Here they are... what is this?
Also check other post under WWII for interesting military hats (German).
It's always an education and I enjoy the twenty minute walk-through.

 

[pointystuff]

What is it?

Hi.
I believe that's a Bundeswehr Panzer beret, but am not absolutely sure;
I tinker with busbies and Pickelhauben, rather than later
German headgear.
Regards,
Brad

 

[Mycroft]

It looks like Pointystuff said, a tanker hat, or maybe a tradtional camp hat as seen in All Quiet on the Western Front. The swords imply probely calvery and the target thing is for rank I think.

 

[BellyTank]

Yes, correct- it's a postwar version of the Panzer helmet/beret thing-
The WW2 ones were much floppier looking and black. They were an early-war item but they must have picked it up after the war again...

B
T

 

[scotrace]

???

German? But how? The Germans were stripped of arms after The War, yes?

 

[BellyTank]

Post WW2 I mean, not post-WW1. It's probably 1960s or such vintage.
As someone mentioned Bundeswehr- West German.

B
T

 

[scotrace]

Of Course WWII

West Germans had a standing army in the 50's 60's?
I was there in '89, there were soldiers aplenty.

Now I am invoking my favorite quote:
"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak up and remove all doubt."
Lincoln

 

[BellyTank]

1949- NATO(including W.Germany)- Warsaw pact(including E.Germany),
the Cold War, etc.
The threat of the USSR taking the rest of Western Europe.
You know what's funny?
East Berlin being in West Germany...

That hat/helmet does look a little similar to a WW1 German cap.

b
t