Kill Cavalry
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This is the first in a series of articles I'm writing on adventure gear for generic impressions. No specific characters here, just good old two fisted pulp fun!
Pith helmets are one of the most iconic pieces of adventure gear. Just seeing them implies safaris, tropical adventures, and the age of imperialism. However, there are many types of pith helmets, and it takes a bit of looking around to determine which pith helmet is right for your impression. Some are more fitting for a haughty professor, while others are better for the two fisted rogue. As to which is appropriate for which, we’ll now turn to this guide…
Pith Helmets in General
A true pith helmet is what you should look for. Straw pith helmets, woven hats patterned in the shape of a pith helmet, and plastic pith helmets are a no-go. Pith is a type of cork that comes from the sola plant, or a similar species http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pith and a substitute is easily spotted. Cheaper though plastic and straw may be, it brings the entire wardrobe down to a store-bought feel, and can kill your look of adventure. Most providers of pith helmets will give you true pith, but keep an eye out, and if you aren’t sure, call or e-mail them.
Wolseley Pattern Pith
This is the most common kind of pith helmet you’ll find today, and the most recognizable of the types out there. This is about the most common price and style offered, though it can be found for cheaper, and in separate colors: http://www.villagehatshop.com/wolseley_pith-helmet.html. The Wolseley pattern gets it’s name from the man who instituted the new version from the more Victorian peaked pith helmets we’ll cover later on. This version was instituted just prior to the Great War, and saw service well through the end of the Second World War. Originally, it began, as all pith helmets did, as a military pattern, but eventually was adopted by civilians in tropical climates as well. And, as we’ll see with most other pith helmets, the Wolseley pattern saw relatively little actual combat. Cork is no substitute for metal on a battlefield, and is much more practical (and comfortable) behind the lines. Here’s another dealer that carries the Wolseley pattern pith along with WWII and WWI British tropical gear: http://whatpriceglory.com/ukhead.htm. This is also a Wolseley Patten pith, though it isn’t named as such: http://www.tagsafari.com/productdetails.aspx?id=100054278. And this is an original Wolseley with plenty of good pictures that can be used for reference: http://www.ima-usa.com/product_info.php/products_id/1444.
This Wolseley provides a little information on the history of this style of helmet, though it can be misleading, it was created after the Victorian era: http://www.ima-usa.com/product_info.php/products_id/1378.
Other Wolseley Style Patterns
The Wolseley pattern has a corner on the front brim of it’s helmet, though there are others not in the Victorian peaked style that are squat and rounded as well.
http://www.villagehatshop.com/african-safari-pith-helmet.html
http://www.villagehatshop.com/french_pith_helmet_.html
http://www.villagehatshop.com/indian_pith-helmet.html (this doesn’t provide a very good picture, you can see a better one at the overall Village Hat Shop link below)
http://www.tagsafari.com/productdetails.aspx?id=100054275
http://www.millerhats.com/outdoor1a.htm (considering the quality of the other piths on this page, I’d e-mail them to ensure this pith is indeed pith; even so, it's the closest style to what Belloq wears in the beginning of Raiders that I've yet found)
Peaked Pith Helmets
These were the most common pith helmets of the Colonial Victorian era, and saw extensive use in both civilian and military capacities. The first pith helmets started arriving on the scene even before the American Civil War, and appear to be, through the limited research I’ve done, in the peaked pith helmet style. The peaked pith can be divided into two categories, the British Army issues 1871 and 1895. The 1871, in stark contrast to other pith helmets saw extensive military service on the field. Popularized by the movie “Zulu”, this white pith was worn in tropical climates by soldiers of the British empire. Some of these were dyed with tea to provide at least some camouflage in African environments. Dying your pith with tea (do this at your own discretion) can achieve a very good worn and adventurous look. This is probably the highest quality reproduction of the 1871 pattern: http://www.ima-usa.com/product_info.php/products_id/1376. This site is one of the more expensive carriers of pith helmets, though I can’t speak to the quality of it as I haven’t yet seen good pictures of the interior of them: http://www.thinred.co.uk/. This version I have personal experience with, and it is a durable and useful type: http://www.villagehatshop.com/british_foreign_service_zulu_war.html, as with all 1871 piths, it is difficult to keep clean.
The 1895 is very similar to the 1871, except that the British had finally come around to modern warfare and began adopting khaki to their uniforms. The 1895 saw service on the front lines as well, up until shortly before the Great War. Again, it was very popular among civilian explorers, and has a distinctly less militaristic look to it than the 1871. Note the wrap around the 1895 as compared to the 1871. This site again doesn’t provide the best pictures, though I own this pith helmet and am very happy with it: http://www.villagehatshop.com/british_pith_helmet_khaki.html. Once again it appears that IMA has come through with the highest quality replica, and at only a slightly more expensive price: http://www.ima-usa.com/product_info.php/products_id/1377.
Though this particular pith might not fit in the peaked style, it’s worth noting: http://www.tagsafari.com/productdetails.aspx?id=100054277.
Pulp Villain Pith Helmets
When one thinks of pulp adventure villains, they tend to think of Nazis. The Deutsche Afrika Korps (or DAK) were issued pith helmets. As mentioned earlier, these would generally be found behind the lines, though in limited instances they were seen on the front. These were generally seen with shields pinned to either side such as these: http://www.hessenantique.com/tropshields.jpg. While the metal helmets had their shields painted, the pith had metal pins. The first pattern was a khaki style, and the second was a bit darker, more olive drab: http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-uniforms/afrika_korps.htm.
This is a close reproduction (save the interior, being as Velcro had not yet been invented) of the DAK pith: http://www.hessenantique.com/ReproHeadgear.html. As you can see, it’s very pricey.
Scroll down on this site to see a pair of originals: http://www.lakesidetrader.com/Headgear.html. Another original can be found here: http://www.thuringenmilitaria.com/helmets.html, though as you can see it’s already been sold, it’s a good reference.
Another villain of the pulp era are the original fascists of Mussolini, the Fascist Italians. Again, these were worn behind the front, though they are one of the most stylish piths you can get. Here are some desert photos of reproduced Italian uniforms: http://www.gruppo-tattico.com/2005.htm. However, the only site I’ve found that actually sells Italian helmets, high quality though they may be, can be found here: http://www.italianfront.com/reproheadgrPg2.htm, this is about the priciest pith you’ll find on this article.
Communists could also be considered a villain of this era, debatable though that may be. However, they didn’t use much in the way of pith, as these were generally Europeans concerned with domestic affairs, and not much for tropical climates. However, if you’d like to create a Soviet persona and a pith for it, you might be able to pull off the NVA tropical pith. I picked up one at a large reenactment a while back, though it was made of plastic. It proved very uncomfortable to wear, and I’m not sure the Village Hat Shop has improved on the design, so be sure to e-mail them if you’re looking to get their olive drab pith adorned with a red and gold insignia. One thing I will say for it, it does look impressive: http://www.villagehatshop.com/vietnam_pith-helmet_hat.html.
General Pith Helmet Links
http://www.tagsafari.com/browse.aspx?pg=1&catid=100270
http://www.villagehatshop.com/pith_helmet.html
Pith helmets are one of the most iconic pieces of adventure gear. Just seeing them implies safaris, tropical adventures, and the age of imperialism. However, there are many types of pith helmets, and it takes a bit of looking around to determine which pith helmet is right for your impression. Some are more fitting for a haughty professor, while others are better for the two fisted rogue. As to which is appropriate for which, we’ll now turn to this guide…
Pith Helmets in General
A true pith helmet is what you should look for. Straw pith helmets, woven hats patterned in the shape of a pith helmet, and plastic pith helmets are a no-go. Pith is a type of cork that comes from the sola plant, or a similar species http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pith and a substitute is easily spotted. Cheaper though plastic and straw may be, it brings the entire wardrobe down to a store-bought feel, and can kill your look of adventure. Most providers of pith helmets will give you true pith, but keep an eye out, and if you aren’t sure, call or e-mail them.
Wolseley Pattern Pith
This is the most common kind of pith helmet you’ll find today, and the most recognizable of the types out there. This is about the most common price and style offered, though it can be found for cheaper, and in separate colors: http://www.villagehatshop.com/wolseley_pith-helmet.html. The Wolseley pattern gets it’s name from the man who instituted the new version from the more Victorian peaked pith helmets we’ll cover later on. This version was instituted just prior to the Great War, and saw service well through the end of the Second World War. Originally, it began, as all pith helmets did, as a military pattern, but eventually was adopted by civilians in tropical climates as well. And, as we’ll see with most other pith helmets, the Wolseley pattern saw relatively little actual combat. Cork is no substitute for metal on a battlefield, and is much more practical (and comfortable) behind the lines. Here’s another dealer that carries the Wolseley pattern pith along with WWII and WWI British tropical gear: http://whatpriceglory.com/ukhead.htm. This is also a Wolseley Patten pith, though it isn’t named as such: http://www.tagsafari.com/productdetails.aspx?id=100054278. And this is an original Wolseley with plenty of good pictures that can be used for reference: http://www.ima-usa.com/product_info.php/products_id/1444.
This Wolseley provides a little information on the history of this style of helmet, though it can be misleading, it was created after the Victorian era: http://www.ima-usa.com/product_info.php/products_id/1378.
Other Wolseley Style Patterns
The Wolseley pattern has a corner on the front brim of it’s helmet, though there are others not in the Victorian peaked style that are squat and rounded as well.
http://www.villagehatshop.com/african-safari-pith-helmet.html
http://www.villagehatshop.com/french_pith_helmet_.html
http://www.villagehatshop.com/indian_pith-helmet.html (this doesn’t provide a very good picture, you can see a better one at the overall Village Hat Shop link below)
http://www.tagsafari.com/productdetails.aspx?id=100054275
http://www.millerhats.com/outdoor1a.htm (considering the quality of the other piths on this page, I’d e-mail them to ensure this pith is indeed pith; even so, it's the closest style to what Belloq wears in the beginning of Raiders that I've yet found)
Peaked Pith Helmets
These were the most common pith helmets of the Colonial Victorian era, and saw extensive use in both civilian and military capacities. The first pith helmets started arriving on the scene even before the American Civil War, and appear to be, through the limited research I’ve done, in the peaked pith helmet style. The peaked pith can be divided into two categories, the British Army issues 1871 and 1895. The 1871, in stark contrast to other pith helmets saw extensive military service on the field. Popularized by the movie “Zulu”, this white pith was worn in tropical climates by soldiers of the British empire. Some of these were dyed with tea to provide at least some camouflage in African environments. Dying your pith with tea (do this at your own discretion) can achieve a very good worn and adventurous look. This is probably the highest quality reproduction of the 1871 pattern: http://www.ima-usa.com/product_info.php/products_id/1376. This site is one of the more expensive carriers of pith helmets, though I can’t speak to the quality of it as I haven’t yet seen good pictures of the interior of them: http://www.thinred.co.uk/. This version I have personal experience with, and it is a durable and useful type: http://www.villagehatshop.com/british_foreign_service_zulu_war.html, as with all 1871 piths, it is difficult to keep clean.
The 1895 is very similar to the 1871, except that the British had finally come around to modern warfare and began adopting khaki to their uniforms. The 1895 saw service on the front lines as well, up until shortly before the Great War. Again, it was very popular among civilian explorers, and has a distinctly less militaristic look to it than the 1871. Note the wrap around the 1895 as compared to the 1871. This site again doesn’t provide the best pictures, though I own this pith helmet and am very happy with it: http://www.villagehatshop.com/british_pith_helmet_khaki.html. Once again it appears that IMA has come through with the highest quality replica, and at only a slightly more expensive price: http://www.ima-usa.com/product_info.php/products_id/1377.
Though this particular pith might not fit in the peaked style, it’s worth noting: http://www.tagsafari.com/productdetails.aspx?id=100054277.
Pulp Villain Pith Helmets
When one thinks of pulp adventure villains, they tend to think of Nazis. The Deutsche Afrika Korps (or DAK) were issued pith helmets. As mentioned earlier, these would generally be found behind the lines, though in limited instances they were seen on the front. These were generally seen with shields pinned to either side such as these: http://www.hessenantique.com/tropshields.jpg. While the metal helmets had their shields painted, the pith had metal pins. The first pattern was a khaki style, and the second was a bit darker, more olive drab: http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-uniforms/afrika_korps.htm.
This is a close reproduction (save the interior, being as Velcro had not yet been invented) of the DAK pith: http://www.hessenantique.com/ReproHeadgear.html. As you can see, it’s very pricey.
Scroll down on this site to see a pair of originals: http://www.lakesidetrader.com/Headgear.html. Another original can be found here: http://www.thuringenmilitaria.com/helmets.html, though as you can see it’s already been sold, it’s a good reference.
Another villain of the pulp era are the original fascists of Mussolini, the Fascist Italians. Again, these were worn behind the front, though they are one of the most stylish piths you can get. Here are some desert photos of reproduced Italian uniforms: http://www.gruppo-tattico.com/2005.htm. However, the only site I’ve found that actually sells Italian helmets, high quality though they may be, can be found here: http://www.italianfront.com/reproheadgrPg2.htm, this is about the priciest pith you’ll find on this article.
Communists could also be considered a villain of this era, debatable though that may be. However, they didn’t use much in the way of pith, as these were generally Europeans concerned with domestic affairs, and not much for tropical climates. However, if you’d like to create a Soviet persona and a pith for it, you might be able to pull off the NVA tropical pith. I picked up one at a large reenactment a while back, though it was made of plastic. It proved very uncomfortable to wear, and I’m not sure the Village Hat Shop has improved on the design, so be sure to e-mail them if you’re looking to get their olive drab pith adorned with a red and gold insignia. One thing I will say for it, it does look impressive: http://www.villagehatshop.com/vietnam_pith-helmet_hat.html.
General Pith Helmet Links
http://www.tagsafari.com/browse.aspx?pg=1&catid=100270
http://www.villagehatshop.com/pith_helmet.html
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