Original Item: Only One Available. Right out of the family attic! In splendid original condition this standard WW1 issue pith helmet has it all: complete with leather headband and chinstrap it retains a substantial cloth pugaree. A pugaree is the cloth wrap, which still bears it’s unit’s color flash to the left side.
The inside of the leather head band is marked-
519433 ELLIS R.J.
Also there is very clear ink stamping of Crossed Rifles over W.D. with a broad arrow between the letter and the date 16.
Most interesting is that the unit flash is made up of three vertical bands of Black/Grey/Maroon indicating use by the Royal Air Force, as it happens the R.A.F. name was only adopted on April 1st 1918 having previously been named The Royal Flying Corp. Possibly the flash was replaced in 1918 or the helmet made two years earlier had not yet been issued.
The Helmet comes with an original cotton carry bag complete with is pajama type fastening cord.
The Carry bag is stamped on the interior B.(L) Ltd. over a broad arrow all in a printed box.
Dated WW1 Pith Helmets are really rare and few original marked carry bags are ever encountered making this a most desirable item from the air war of 100 years ago.