Original Item: Only One Available. The pith helmet being offered is a standard WW1 issue in exceptionally well-preserved original condition. It comes with a leather headband and chinstrap, both of which are intact and in good condition. The helmet also retains a substantial cloth pugaree, which is the cloth wrap around the helmet, and it still bears its unit’s color flash on the left side, adding to its historical significance.
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.
Dated WW1 Pith Helmets are really rare and few are ever encountered making this a most desirable item from the air war of 100 years ago.