Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic example of an unissued condition “American Fiber Helmet” by the lesser known International Hat Company. The fiber helmet was originally designed by Jesse Hawley in the early 1930s. Hawley subsequently designed the first fiber helmet liner for the original M1 steel helmet, alongside the General Fibre Company, a subsidiary of the International Hat Company. The first patent for the Hawley pressed fiber sun helmet was petitioned to the U.S. government in 1935 and subsequently granted in 1938.

The International Hat Company was the first manufacturer of the World War II model of fiber helmets for the U.S. Army, beginning in June 1940 to 1946. The U.S. Army began ordering the World War II model of fiber helmets from Hawley Products in January 1941 to June 1942. During their respective production times, Hawley Products created 27,751 fiber helmets for the Army, whereas International Hat generated 27,434. The helmet eventually replaced the traditional but more expensive felt campaign hat.

This is a nearly mint condition genuine United States Marine Corp WW2 sun helmet. It is complete with the original EGA insignia and found stamped in multiple locations on the helmet with a complete liner and chinstrap nicely marked on the interior:

INTERNATIONAL HAT CO
NXsx-35371
Aug 9, 1943

The fabric exterior was treated, during pacific theatre use, with a water resistant paint which is still present and in excellent condition.

Comes more than ready for display.

History of the USMC Press Fiber Sun Helmet (courtesy of militarysunhelmets.com):

When the helmet of the United States Marine Corp in World War II is discussed it is likely the M1 steel helmet with the famous herringbone twill cover. But in fact this wasn’t the only helmet used by the USMC.

The pressed fiber sun helmet - which was first adopted by the USMC on October 1, 1940 - saw use throughout the Second World War. Two companies, Hawley Products Company and International Hat Company, manufactured the helmets and more than 100,000 were produced.

While the pressed fiber helmet saw use by all branches of the military it is most recognized as a helmet of the USMC. In fact, it was widely used as a training helmet while production of the M1 steel helmet was ramped up.

The pressed fiber helmet was actually officially adopted and entered service prior to the M1 helmet, while it remained in service with the US Navy until the 1990s, more than a decade after the M1 helmet was retired from service. This makes the pressed fiber helmet one of the longest serving types of US Military headgear. It saw use in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Grenada and even Desert Shield/Desert Storm.