Italian Pith Helmet on estand

[tankredi]

x

[PAOLORUBENS]

Yes...but there's one special detail ...

... and the special detail is ? can we see the insignia / fregio ?
grazie
Paolo

[tankredi]

... and the special detail is ?

More pictures needed?

[tankredi]

... can we see the insignia / fregio ?
grazie
Paolo

Sorry but I don't have this helmet any more.
The fregio was added later on, anyway.

[Sparviero]

Hi Tankredi,

I have not heard before of a canvas top being a requirement, nor can I find it back anywhere.
Is this an assumption?

Greetings,

[Semovente]

If anyone looks in any war time pics...ie Italian soldier in N.A. 41-43..Osprey...page 58...crackin pic of Granatieri di Sardegna men firering a Solothurn A.T. rifle...you can see the top of the pith helmet...with the metal vent dome... slightly darker than the tan material..and the sun light reflected/shining off the metal dome!!?...the same affect as in Tankredi's two pics of the two dome types.(.bottom pic)..but with a light bulbs light etc...not the desert sun...the same is seen in other B/W WW2 pics...i rest my case!!!

[tankredi]

Hi Tankredi,

I have not heard before of a canvas top being a requirement, nor can I find it back anywhere.
Is this an assumption?

Greetings,

I have no clue myself.
So far I came across 3 of these Italian pith helmets with khaky interior and canvas covered top.

[Sparviero]

Ok. The thing is, on the very clear pictures of the canvas lining, you see the helmet lying on the ground on its side. Ofcourse you cannot see the construction of the topping of the dome then

But as Semovente says, "all" pictures show a metal dome topping.
So unless other facts show up: metal dome topping (see war-time pictures) + Khaki canvas lining (see war-time pictures) is good.

Greetings,

[Semovente]

Sparverio...yes 100% on that...and as with most thing's (not all?!)...military etc...you have one or more manufacters making parts or the whole thing!...so it is quite resonable to come across different types etc...and of course British Aden pattern piths were in use aswell...not to forget what the Afrika Korps were wearing!!!...cheers & regards...Semovente

[PAOLORUBENS]

More pictures needed?

ciao Tankredi ,
interesting ... wasn't noticing this particular because I really don't collect Mod 34 Second version without green lining .
I did a research with my friend which is an advanced collector ( + 25 yrs ) and he told some facts and some assumption .
Canvas top is rare on Mod 33 second pattern and extra rare on first pattern ( might be possible that canvas top on first model was just a replacement ) .
Both models were officially produced for troops but a little bit better version of both was also for sale , small differences as : canvas top , better made wimple , better metal parts .
Different story for officers piths , they weren't supplied ( at first ) with a regular sun helmet and once landed in Port Said , Alexandria , Tripoli ... they had to buy a private model where later they added insignia ( metal and bullion ) . A bit later some italian factories produced " official " piths for officers ... all of them were with canvas top .
best
Paolo

[Semovente]

Hi Paolorubens...interesting what you said about officers piths...private purchase etc...mine is a 1939 model "The Pioneer"...made in British India, Aden pattern...badged to a Italian Transport officer...green/red interior.

[PAOLORUBENS]

Hi Paolorubens...interesting what you said about officers piths...private purchase etc...mine is a 1939 model "The Pioneer"...made in British India, Aden pattern...badged to a Italian Transport officer...green/red interior.

Semovente ,
is weird but is true ... imagine officers CCNN ( Camicie Nere ) when they had to buy a sun helmet made in British Empire , most of them were deleting " made in India " or " made in ... " just because was impossible for them wear Brit .
Few piths were made for officers in Italy , Aden and cotton pattern ... rarest are white Aden ( made from Cassoni Albizzate and Melan Milano ) . There was a little gem in via Condotti Rome : Radiconcini . This producer had several Pat.Pen. regarding sun helmets , they were able to produce extra light piths with cotton , aluminum leafs to insulate and light cork ... 250/300 grams pith !!! those are more than rare , my +25 yrs collector friend has only one ( he has 250 piths ) ... and I have one too East Africa Governor .

[PAOLORUBENS]

transport Aden

my Transport Aden officer pith helmet

[Semovente]

Hi Paolorubens...those lightweight piths sound good...i will keep a eye out for one of those...i bet you are well pleased with finding the Governers E.A pith ??...not many of those about!!??......Semovente

[PAOLORUBENS]

Hi Paolorubens...those lightweight piths sound good...i will keep a eye out for one of those...i bet you are well pleased with finding the Governers E.A pith ??...not many of those about!!??......Semovente

keep the secret ... was more pleasant the price , 300 euros !!! seller had absolutely no idea about what he was letting go , I had a second Governor , typical white Aden with a much better bullion Eagle with Imperial Crown .