DIMS LIDS - Restored Combat Helmets
US Pith 01
US Pith 01
The American pressed fibre sun helmet still remains very much a mystery at times. Its history hasn’t been well documented and while the research continues it isn’t clear when or even why changes to the patterns were made. What is notable is that the helmet appears to have gone through an evolution. Now an interesting example has been discovered and it remains the only such one of its type (Me: two in fact, the one on the above website and this one). As seen above it is a camouflage version, which likely dates from the early 1940s. It features three grommet holes on each side, which are used to hold the liner and chinstrap in place. Remnants of the leather chinstrap remain. This helmet lacks the front grommet typically seen helmets produced expressly for the USMC. This helmet appears to have been made by Hawley, but is also the pattern seen in use by Canada and even South American countries. As has been suggested this version may have been designed as an early civilian sun helmet and was adopted for military use - and later was exported. The camouflage pattern is the USMC “Frogskin” which was adapted as a civilian but also military pattern known as “Duck Hunter”. This particular pattern seems to be WW2 “Frogskin” suggesting this was perhaps a prototype or experimental attempt to produce a camouflage sun helmet. Not other information is known about this helmet at this time. Dated March 2014. This camouflage pith helmet is one of only two known examples. It could well have been made Hawley in its similarity to pith helmets know to have been made by Hawley; it is not marked by the manufacturer. It appears to me made with pressed cardboard with a camouflage cloth covering. The liner may be leather or some synthetic material; it is adjusted with a shoelace through various holes; the maximum head size is 57cm; very ordinary arrangement. The leather chinstrap is intact; it is not adjustable or functional as a chinstrap. There appears to be some mildew markings along the left side. This pith helmet has a very cool appearance. Or, was a kids toy helmet?
Price: $849 AUD
