A classic World War I era German leather flight helmet with goggles. Purportedly the flight gear was owned by German pilot Sergeant First Class Richard Kohnke. An enlisted observer and pilot in World War I, Kohnke served most of the war on the Eastern Front and the Middle East, with a brief stay on the Western Front. He was wounded in the air twice while serving in Palestine, once from being scalded by a radiator ruptured by ground fire, the second by taking ground fire to both legs. Between the wars he was active in sport aviation and parachuting. In fact, Kohnke is known as the father of German parachuting. In Germany in 1930, Kohnke set a record jump from 7,800 meters with a free fall time of 142 seconds. During World War II he was involved in the manufacture of parachutes for the Luftwaffe at his factory in Ziegelhausen. Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection

Very good displaying authentic wear with a couple small tears at the chin strap and an absent snap. A vintage leather flight helmet with great character.