Item Description
Original Item: One Only Available. Much like our European cousins in the 1880s, the U.S. Army started to adopt spiked pith helmets, often in white, with all brass mounts and occasionally plumes. These saw active service in the Spanish American War of 1898 especially in the tropical climate in Cuba. While often referred to as "pith helmets" in the broad sense, it was made from cork, like many European variants, such as the Wolseley pattern used by the British.
This helmet dates to the early 1900s, and it really is quite striking. This is not the type of helmet that was worn in the field, but instead one intended for use with the "dress" uniform for ceremonial occasions. This example was made from cork covered with brown fabric, but the cork of this example has heavy damaging, with much material loss, making the cover a bit loose, with a partial makers stamp inside around the spike fixture.
RIDABOCK & CO.
FORMERLY
BAKER & McKENNEY
141 GRAND STREET, NEW YORK
The Helmet plate displays the New York Guard Seal helmet plate; an Eagle perched atop a shield, wings spread, with a banner below marked “Excelsior”. The number 65 has been attached to the front, and this with the Field Artillery bales on the sides would indicate the 65th New York Field Artillery.
The helmet is affixed with an original plume, colored red/orange for what we believe to be field artillery, but this may not be correct. A nice rough example of an 1881 Helmet which would display best on a stand or head, as it sags a bit when stationary. The front visor is somewhat empty and the leather trim is wearing a great deal. Being sold as is, ready for further research and display.
- This product is available for international shipping.
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