johnnycanuck
My Mail is Forwarded Here
- Messages
- 3,008
- Location
- Alberta
The Indian fits low on my head so I do get good sun protection without the hat being to big. Just personal preference I guess.
Johnny
Johnny
-
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Giant Pith Helmet Thread of Doom
- Thread starter Richard
- Start date
billyspew
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,746
JLrep said:
I've found in my limited experience that the Indian seems better for a cool head (more air flow around the head?), the French seems better for sun protection.
Chascomm
New in Town
- Messages
- 34
- Location
- Western Australia
I have my grandfather's old topee. My wife permits me to wear it on the understanding that I will only wear it out of sight of the general public. I wear it while hanging out the washing in the back yard where it protects me from the sun and the sharp corners of the clothesline frame.
BinkieBaumont
Rude Once Too Often
- Messages
- 3,324
"I'm sure your "Mrs" would have other ideas on the "Pith" if she saw Angelina Jolie, wearing one in the "new Idea"
Warbaby
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,549
- Location
- The Wilds of Vancouver Island
Pith Helmets
Oi! Got a piff 'elmet? Let's 'ave a look at 'em.
I've had this one for a least 25 years. Haven't had a need for it under the grey skies of Vancouver Island, but it came in handy when I lived in Arizona. I don't really know anything about it, so a bit of identification would be appreciated. I assume those hooks are for attaching a neck cloth, so if anyone has a photo or description (with measurements) of what it should look like, I'd like to see it so I can make one. Is the leather strap at the back a part of the attachment for the neck cloth or is it for something else?
Oi! Got a piff 'elmet? Let's 'ave a look at 'em.
I've had this one for a least 25 years. Haven't had a need for it under the grey skies of Vancouver Island, but it came in handy when I lived in Arizona. I don't really know anything about it, so a bit of identification would be appreciated. I assume those hooks are for attaching a neck cloth, so if anyone has a photo or description (with measurements) of what it should look like, I'd like to see it so I can make one. Is the leather strap at the back a part of the attachment for the neck cloth or is it for something else?
Creeping Past
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,567
- Location
- England
BinkieBaumont
Rude Once Too Often
- Messages
- 3,324
"Oh it looks rather special could it be German?"
- Messages
- 3,652
Mike K. said:
Now we have the Giant Pith Helmet Thread of DOOM.
BellyTank
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 7,061
BinkieBaumont said:
...or South African.
B
T
Mike K.
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,479
- Location
- Southwest Florida
I agree with BT.
Interestingly, here is the same helmet depicted on www.militarytrader.com with the note "The South African sun helmet, which was based on civilian polo helmets, may be the basis of the myth that German troops in the Afrikakorps used captured Dutch helmets."
Interestingly, here is the same helmet depicted on www.militarytrader.com with the note "The South African sun helmet, which was based on civilian polo helmets, may be the basis of the myth that German troops in the Afrikakorps used captured Dutch helmets."
BellyTank
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 7,061
Yes- Dutch was the myth, SA was the truth.
It pays to know your Pith!
B
T
It pays to know your Pith!
B
T
- Messages
- 7,425
- Location
- METROPOLIS OF EUROPA
Keeping an eye out for an old-fashioned BOMBAY BOWLER.
For example:
To go with my Safari jacket.
Where on earth can I pick up an old Cawnpore style helmet from the days of Empire gents...?
For example:
To go with my Safari jacket.
Where on earth can I pick up an old Cawnpore style helmet from the days of Empire gents...?
- Messages
- 7,425
- Location
- METROPOLIS OF EUROPA
Anyone...?
[huh] Any pointers towards a 20's/30's type Cawnpore styled pith...? Ones I've seen on Ebay are just too small. Other areas to look at...? be appreciated.
[huh] Any pointers towards a 20's/30's type Cawnpore styled pith...? Ones I've seen on Ebay are just too small. Other areas to look at...? be appreciated.
Tango Yankee
Call Me a Cab
- Messages
- 2,433
- Location
- Lucasville, OH
I was about to ask why this thread isn't in the Hats forum, but I see that the Hats forum is no longer for "Everything from fedoras to pith helmets." A change that came about when all the pith helmet threads were merged?
Cheers,
Tom
Cheers,
Tom
BellyTank
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 7,061
The actual Cawnpore(Kanpur) style helmets are pretty thin in the ground,
especially in good condition and good sizes.
Ebay is probably your best bet.
I was lucky to get this one- before the pith helmet craze.
Excellent condition and size 7 3/8.
In Pith Helmet terms, this is a true "Cawnpore", I think the "Bombay Bowler", is a smaller style,
often in white and not usually a military example.
Good Wolsely stylle helmets seem quite available, I also have a nice example.
B
T
especially in good condition and good sizes.
Ebay is probably your best bet.
I was lucky to get this one- before the pith helmet craze.
Excellent condition and size 7 3/8.
In Pith Helmet terms, this is a true "Cawnpore", I think the "Bombay Bowler", is a smaller style,
often in white and not usually a military example.
Good Wolsely stylle helmets seem quite available, I also have a nice example.
B
T
- Messages
- 7,425
- Location
- METROPOLIS OF EUROPA
CAWNPORE...
That's a fine find BT, and the condition is just astounding.
That's a fine find BT, and the condition is just astounding.
MrBern
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 4,469
Sun Helmets of the World
Coincidentally, 13 months ago to the day, I posted about a Sun Helmet book on the 19th Century Explorer thread. I'll repost here for the Pith enthusiasts:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showpost.php?p=782450&postcount=24
Coincidentally, 13 months ago to the day, I posted about a Sun Helmet book on the 19th Century Explorer thread. I'll repost here for the Pith enthusiasts:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showpost.php?p=782450&postcount=24
MrBern said:FYI, for those of you interested in the far ranging adoption of Pith Helmets from the 19th Century to current, heres an extensive new book.
The author (a friend from local militaria shows) received them this morning & was good enuff to allow me the first autographed hardcover purchase.
http://militarysunhelmets.com/
Colonel
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 140
I routinely use a sun helmet when working outside. It is a Vietnam-era surplus helmet. The inside is marked:
HELMET, SUN
DSA 100-4036
8415-161-4773
I have a photo of my father on his ship in the Pacific during WW2, with him wearing a sun helmet and smoking his pipe. I'll try to find it and post it.
HELMET, SUN
DSA 100-4036
8415-161-4773
I have a photo of my father on his ship in the Pacific during WW2, with him wearing a sun helmet and smoking his pipe. I'll try to find it and post it.
