Giant Pith Helmet Thread of Doom

[milandro]

I think this is a modern made Vietnamese helmet.

But I suspect that even in the '60 and '70 they were made as badly.

The pith helmet has a long story and there were as many variations as countries they were used by or in.

The American pressed fiber helmet is clearly different from these other examples


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_fiber_helmet

 

[johnnycanuck]

That time of year again. Yard cleanup day/weekend. VillageHatShop big head French model from 18 years ago. Still thinking of a modern plastic USMC/postal carrier helmet to graffiti up like the old advertisement helmets from the 40’s-60’s.

 

[CRH]

Just when I was thinking there was reason to be optimistic I found this thread and . . .

OK, I think we can all agree that a big tent over your head to protect you from radiation is a good thing

 

[RickP]

Someone suggested I leave this over here in addition to the "post new hats" section.

In 1975 I caught a summer of temporary duty at the USMC Quantico, Va firearms group doing firearms familizaration training with Officer Candidates As part of the staff, I got to wear this exact hat for firing line work. (borrowed from a buddy there who had two.) Talked to him a couple weeks ago and mentioned my hat addiction and how cool that fiber helmet was. He said he still had both of them, and last week he sent me the one I had borrowed!!! A few stains for being in the bottom of a west texas closet for 40 yrs, but its MINE. That hole in the middle of the inside was there back when I borrowed it. lol. Should make a great lawn mowing hat. The leather chinstrap is missing, but Im not sure it ever had one. Everything else is there, and in decent shape (In case anyone has a spare chinstrap message me). Glad I still have All my old uniform brass to screw a EGA on front.

I DID have to sacrifice a showlace to replace the rotted adjustment string in back)

 

[fireman]

Neat story!! They were NOT wearing them in teh early 80's when I went through OCS.

 

[RickP]

Neat story!! They were NOT wearing them in teh early 80's when I went through OCS.

When I was there, they were primarily used on Black Flag heat days (Of coarse at Quantico during the summer, there were quite a few of those. When I went through the PLC jr class in 76 and Sr in 78 there were few to be seen... Pretty much just the HMFIC for the day lol

 

[RickP]

Im pretty sure it looked better back in the day on my short haired 19 yr old self lol

 

[Who?]

Classic.

It looks terrific on you now.

 

[RickP]

old gyrene in an old hat lol

 

[fireman]

When I was there, they were primarily used on Black Flag heat days (Of coarse at Quantico during the summer, there were quite a few of those. When I went through the PLC jr class in 76 and Sr in 78 there were few to be seen... Pretty much just the HMFIC for the day lol

I did summer 82/83, second session. Quantico in Aug? Seems like they were all black days. At least no one died. When my dad went through in 52/53 he had 3 guys die due to heat.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Someone suggested I leave this over here in addition to the "post new hats" section.

In 1975 I caught a summer of temporary duty at the USMC Quantico, Va firearms group doing firearms familizaration training with Officer Candidates As part of the staff, I got to wear this exact hat for firing line work. (borrowed from a buddy there who had two.) Talked to him a couple weeks ago and mentioned my hat addiction and how cool that fiber helmet was. He said he still had both of them, and last week he sent me the one I had borrowed!!! A few stains for being in the bottom of a west texas closet for 40 yrs, but its MINE. That hole in the middle of the inside was there back when I borrowed it. lol. Should make a great lawn mowing hat. The leather chinstrap is missing, but Im not sure it ever had one. Everything else is there, and in decent shape (In case anyone has a spare chinstrap message me). Glad I still have All my old uniform brass to screw a EGA on front.
View attachment 619014 View attachment 619015 View attachment 619016 I DID have to sacrifice a showlace to replace the rotted adjustment string in back)

Well i’m jealous!!
I coached re-qual one in year 74-75? at the ***** range, not Quantico and we didn’t get any hats.
We did get to go home early and not wait in line forever checking in the *****s at the armory though.
If we had, idda stole it and still have it!!
Musta been an Officer thing.
B

 

[RickP]

Im guessing it had to do with Maj Land still being there at Scout Sniper back then.. He wanted thing just a bit different for HIS school (and it WAS His)

 

[johnnycanuck]

That time of year again. Cleaning up the yard. Between winter out of shape and working in how temperatures I am not used to the Pith helps me get though it with fewer breaks.

 

[Wolamang]

Preparing for a journey to a folk music festival in central France. Two weeks of walking, camping and busking in the July sun so taking a pith was an easy choice. Not so easy was choosing which one to wear - I have many others (including two other editions of Stetson's sun helmet) but in the end I opted for the relatively meek-looking "Salonga" model on the idea that it will stand out less when in the cities. I have extensive experience with Stetson helmets and while they are quite different from a "regular" pith I really love them for the more elegant shaping and fabrics.

 

[Levallois]

Put this in its own topic before I saw a dedicated pith helmet topic. I’m trying to find out more about this helmet. It looks like more of a Bombay Bowler than anything but has some interesting features. First it has a smaller brim than I’ve seen. Second, the spring under the headband is new to me and is attached to the hat like it’s meant to be there. Last the holes with grommets for air circulation are huge. Made by Walter Barnard & Son, 97 Jermyn Street, St. James, London, patented in 1899, made for A.G. Spaulding & Bros. Has anyone seen this mix of features before? Shown with a similarly aged Woseley for comparison. Any comments will be appreciated. Thanks for looking.

 

[fireman]

Looks like a cricket hat or something to that effect.

 

[Levallois]

Investigated your observation. Antique/vintage cricket helmets do not look like this pith helmet having more of a large front brim with brimless sides and back although some have large vent holes. Polo helmets are closer but still not the same shape. Another website - military sun hats - calls one just like this a pith helmet and the metal spring at the front of the headband a “radiator grill” suggesting it helps with ventilation. I am assuming this guy knows a thing or two. Having said that, I’ll keep looking.

Polo example made by the same firm

 

[fireman]

Did you see this article. I'm talking older Polo helmets aka Polo Pith Helmets.

The Polo Helmet Connection | Military Sun Helmets

 

[Jon Crow]

Did you see this article. I'm talking older Polo helmets aka Polo Pith Helmets.

http://[URL]https://www.militarysunhelmets.com/2012/the-polo-helmet-connection

[/URL]

That is almost the same with helmet vents

 

[Jon Crow]

Did you see this article. I'm talking older Polo helmets aka Polo Pith Helmets.

http://[URL]https://www.militarysunhelmets.com/2012/the-polo-helmet-connection

[/URL]

https://www.militarysunhelmets.com/category/polo-helmet