Category Archives: United States

The Fraternal Helmet and the Egyptian Connection

Back in 2012 this reporter offered a brief history that involved “knights, secret societies and a castle destroyed in an explosion.” At the time I admitted it had the making of a Da Vinci Code setup but was far less exciting – if not somewhat interesting to collectors. Now the time has come for a sequel, one that at least might make more sense than Dan Brown’s Inferno, a book/movie that still makes little to any sense!

This story revolves around knights and their Egyptian temple, but more importantly could help explain why at least one of the fraternal groups of the late 19th century adopted white helmets that were similar in design to the helmets worn by the various military forces of the day. Continue reading

The Tale of a Surplus US M1887 Summer Helmet.

Figure 1. A ‘Thomas Begg Inc.’ refurbished M1887 helmet, with its 1960s explanatory card, the helmet is now at least 110 years old and possibly 131. A number of these re-worked helmets are thought to have been retailed by the company in the 1960s, but the cards have rarely survived

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Another American Mystery

Recently this reporter came across the most unique of American military sun helmets from the 19th century, but that is actually only half the story. In addition to the first helmet, a second one was found at the Baltimore Antique Arms Show. It is a rather simple New York National Guard type helmet, but what makes this one of note is that while most of those are typically found heavily whitened this one has never been whitened and is in its native/naked khaki.

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An American Helmet Variation

Understanding the sun helmets of the U.S. Army and even the United States Marine Corps that were used during the 19th century is rather simple as it comes down to the Model 1880, Model 1887 and Model 1989 helmets. These were the three main helmets used by regular Army – while the USMC did apparently use the Model 87/89 to some extent.

Where the issue is harder to understand is when it comes to the militias and National Guard units. While it is known that several patterns existed for these as well, most seem to be fairly uniform and follow the same basic parameters of the Army style helmets. These were four seams, with a front/back and side seams. Now another helmet was found that turns all this on its axis! Continue reading

The Pressed Fiber Forming Buck

In the summer of 2017 a unique item (above) showed up at auction and this reporter was fortunate to obtain it – it appeared to be a press or form for the American pressed fiber sun helmet. Recently a reader explained to me exactly how this item was used, and now it confirms that this was in fact used by Hawley Products Company, the maker of the pressed fiber helmets. Continue reading

The Mexican Sun Helmet

While various sun helmet patterns – all likely influenced by or based on the original British colonial pattern – were adopted by the nations of Europe, as well as the United States and even South American nations, it is largely forgotten that the military of Mexico also adopted a similar pattern. Little has actually been written about these helmets however.

Authors P Jowett and A de Quesada describe these helmets in a little detail in their book The Mexican Revolution: 1910-1920 (Osprey Publishing, 2006). The authors noted that Mexican Federal Army soldiers wore “Mexican artillery model sun helmet(s) without insignia.” Continue reading

A Unique War Trophy

American GIs liked their war trophies, which is why there is such a military collectibles hobby in the United States today. Helmets seemed popular and while steel helmets captured (or liberated as the case may be) from German soldiers were certainly favored, so too were sun helmets.

Here is one of the rarest examples we’ve encountered. It is a first pattern German tropical helmet, of the type used by the Afrika Korps during its campaign in the desert. What makes it truly stand out is that the German shields have been removed and replaced by American collar insignia – and this might be the only example of this display of war booty that we’ve seen. Continue reading