Pith Helmets

[Biathlonman]

One more idea then I'll lay this to rest. One could put a tartan patch on the left side of one's helmet and Puggaree - "scotchifying" it to use a terrible word. Tartan would match your kilt of course. Same would apply equally to one's bush/slouch hat.

Not sure one's clan badge would look good on the front where a regimental one was placed in the pre-Khaki era.

[BoldHighlander]

Black Watch (WW1 era)

[Downunder Kilt]

What a great photo to have of a family member Ern. I have not seen it on the forum before, so thanks for posting it again in this thread.

[BoldHighlander]

One more idea then I'll lay this to rest. One could put a tartan patch on the left side of one's helmet and Puggaree - "scotchifying" it to use a terrible word. Tartan would match your kilt of course. Same would apply equally to one's bush/slouch hat.

More or less like the Scottish Horse and the Transvaal Scottish Volunteers in the early 1900's

Scottish Horse Slouch Hat
(presented by Lord Bruce Murray, Marquis of Tullibardine, June 1996)



Worn by the Marquis of Tullibardine, founder of the Transvaal Scottish Volunteers on his return to Scotland in 1902 as Officer Commanding the Scottish Horse (Yeomanry).

Notes: The inside label indicates the manufacturer, "Lincoln Bennet, Sackville Street, Piccadilly, London".

Also, only the Commanding Officer would wear the silk Murray of Athol tartan in the pogri.

Having founded the Regiment, the Marquis of Tullibardine recommended that the new Regiment used the Scottish Horse slouch hat and black cock feather. This head dress was only used in the period 1902 to 1906.

The hat in action:

Lieutenant William John English
2nd Scottish Horse
3rd July 1901 (Boer War)



Members of the 2nd Scottish Horse in South Africa during the Boer War:



Captain Arnold Statham Milne,
Transvaal Scottish Volunteers

Not sure one's clan badge would look good on the front where a regimental one was placed in the pre-Khaki era.

I have a good friend (state commissioner for Clan Cameron) who wears a Cameron badge on the front of his wide brimmed boonie hat (no tartan swatch). It doesn't look half bad, though I'd personally rather wear it on the side.

Come to think of it, it might be an old Cameron Highlanders military badge he wears(?)

[Matt Richards]

One more idea then I'll lay this to rest. One could put a tartan patch on the left side of one's helmet and Puggaree - "scotchifying" it to use a terrible word. Tartan would match your kilt of course. Same would apply equally to one's bush/slouch hat.

I have a color illustration at home from one of the Osprey World War I uniform books that shows a transport driver with the Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders in either Mesopotamia or Palestine, and he wears an old holdover slouch hat pinned up on one side with a A&S Highlanders collar dog over a blue square. I'll see if I can dig it up tonight.

https://irishhistoricalmilitaria.com...dges%20035.jpg

[BoldHighlander]

I have a color illustration at home from one of the Osprey World War I uniform books that shows a transport driver with the Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders in either Mesopotamia or Palestine, and he wears an old holdover slouch hat pinned up on one side with a A&S Highlanders collar dog over a blue square. I'll see if I can dig it up tonight.

https://irishhistoricalmilitaria.com...dges%20035.jpg

Cool!

[BoldHighlander]

Here are two more I ran across in my files:

One could put a tartan patch on the left side of one's helmet and Puggaree -

(Note left side of their helmets in both pics ~ may or may not be tartan, but the idea is there )

Officers of the Transvaal Scottish Volunteers in Pretoria (1910):



Camerons and Seaforths burying their dead after the Battle of Atbara, 8th of April 1898

[Tim Little]

Via eBay:

This is a great early pith helmet, and probably dates from sometime between the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth. Alterations to the helmet make it difficult to determine its origin and age, so bid at your own discretion.

The helmet's interior has been reworked and the lining is now adjustable vinyl. You can see the original cotton covering above the new lining. The exterior has been treated with water-proofing, but doubt that this is original to the helmet. The helmet plate, which I don't believe is original to this helmet, is slightly worn and lists the 92nd Gordon Highlanders military achievements: Waterloo, Peninsula, Orthes, etc. The chinstrap is decorative.

Some reenactors (from SoCal?):

[BoldHighlander]

Note the officers at the lower right of the photo:

[BoldHighlander]

Sir Henry Morton Stanley, GCB, of "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" fame


Here's a wee article on different styles of pith helmets, plus links:
The Definitive Pith Helmet Guide (The Fedora Chronicles)

And some links to three pith helmet dealers:

Hats For All Occasions (some interesting designs)

Hats in the Belfry

IMA