Is this a legit Japanese Pith Helmet?

[Jared S.]

This belongs to a friend of mine and he would like to know if it is real. It doesn't look like any example I have ever seen, but I do not specialize in Japanese militaria.

Thanks,
Jared

[John Egger]

Pith Helmet......

It's unlike anything "Japanese" that I have seen.....there were a number of private purchase and theater made pith helmets and some odd ball ones but with out markings it may be hard to tell. The star is also odd & unlike any that I have seen also. Is there a "story" (preferably from a vet) that goes with it ? This may sound odd, but look inside at the material the helmet is made of.....I have seen several that have been constructed using Japanese newspaper to bind the cork together. It's not much I know.........
John

[Jareth]

Jared, so many different variations of Japanese pith helmets out there. You'll find different types of vents (positions of vents too) materials and different insignias (brass stars, wool stars & bevo stars). Not only were there numerous styles/patterns made in Japan but also different patterns ( construction/manufacturers differances) made in Japanese occupied countries. There's also the British stlye "safari" (oval shaped & not round) pith helmets which were privately purchased. There are aspects about your pith that I haven't seen before such as thicker chinstrap, liner etc. I'd like to see close ups of the vent, prongs on back of star & a side view of your helmet. I have seen that silver foil circle on inside by vent top before. Pith helmets made by other countries & not from WW2 are often modified to try & pass as Japanese so one must be cautious when examing an unusual, non typical pith helmet. Happy Holidays!

[Jared S.]

Thank you for the replies.

There is no vet provenance, he purchased it at a gun store 10+ years ago.

Here are more pictures. There is another hole near the prongs for the star, I wonder if there was another insignia there. Is the stamped "45" on the liner OK (shown in a previous picture)??

For what it's worth, nothing glows under a black light.

Thanks again,
Jared

[Jared S.]

Any other opinions before I give the owner the news that it's probably not original?

Jared

[Eric Doody]

Jared,

I do not believe anyone said that the subject helmet was not original...just that no one (that has responded to date) has seen anything quite like it before.

The one interesting thing about collecting Japanese militaria is that something new or unusual could turn up any day that no one else has seen before...and, just because no one else has seen a particular item before, does not mean that the item is bad, no good, or not original.

Eric

[Jareth]

Jared, like Eric said the pith helmet is a possible unrecorded variation. It's not typical of any similiar patterns we've encountered. It does have some Japanese characteristics such as shape, center band & (even though it's a strange star!) star. We all wish there were more markings/stamps to interior. As you guessed it's suspicious that there's an extra hole around interior insignia prongs. Many Asian countries (China, Siam, Viet Nam etc.) as well as European have made pith helmets over many different eras so it's hard to say what it is.

[Jared S.]

Thank you for the clarification. I will pass along the info.

I will be posting a few other Japanese items to get your input on soon. All are still in possession of the veteran that brought them back.

Thanks again!

Jared