Original British WWII Wolseley Pattern Pith Sun Helmet BY Failsworth Hats Ltd – Dated 1942 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a WWII “Wolseley” Pattern British Pith Helmet in a size 6 ⅝. The Wolseley pattern helmet is a distinctive British design developed and popularized in the late 19th and early 20th century. It was the official designation for the universal sun helmet worn by the British Army from 1899 to 1948 and described in the 1900 Dress Regulations as “the Wolseley pattern cork helmet”. With its swept-back brim it provided greater protection from the sun than the old Colonial pattern helmet, and its use was soon widespread among British personnel serving overseas as well as some Canadian units.
 
This example is broad arrow marked and displays the following on the inner leather sweatband:

Failsworth Hats were established in 1903 as ‘The New Failsworth Hat Manufacturing Company,’ designing and making hats for both men and women, from their base at the ‘Maypole Hat Works’ in Failsworth, Manchester in the UK. In 1940 the company changed its name to ‘Failsworth Hats Ltd’.  When the Second World War began, the production of normal headwear was restricted and Failsworth Hats made hats for the military, including leather helmets for the RAF.

The condition of the helmet is about what you would expect a service worn sun helmet would look like. There is fading on the outside fabric, as well as minor staining. There appears to be no damage to the fabric and all stitching is intact. Unfortunately, the chinstrap is missing completely from the helmet, however, the J-Hook bales are still present if you wish to add a replacement chinstrap.
 
This is a beautiful example of a genuine service worn Woseley pith helmet used by the British Armed Forces during WW2. Comes ready to display!
 
 Pith helmet
The pith helmet also known as the safari helmet, sun helmet, topee, sola topee, topi, salacot, or salakof, is a lightweight cloth-covered helmet made of sholapith. The pith helmet originates from the Spanish military adaptation of the native salakot headgear of the Philippines.
 
It was often worn by European travelers and explorers, in the varying climates found in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the tropics, but was also used in many other contexts. It was routinely issued to European military personnel serving overseas in hot climates from the mid-nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century.