M1889 US Pith Helmet

[Gildwiller1918]

Here is a US M1889 sun or pith helmet. This helmet is made from cork and has a cloth covering over the exterior, on the interior there is a leather sweatband and covering for the cork as well. The first of these types of helmets to be used was the M1880 helmet which has a flat brim appearance and was issued with a khaki or white cover, this helmet was not used very much. The M1887 was released in conjunction with new uniforms in 1887 and was initially produced in white, this changed in 1889 to khaki and designated the M1889. The Army was thinking about the use of camouflage and khaki was prefered to white in combat situations. The use of ornamentation was also banned in 1887 as the cork did not support the weight of spikes, plumes and other regalia (this rule was often broken). This lightweight helmet was approved for wear with the dress uniform in 1904. 

These lightweight helmets were used by US forces in the Spanish American war and the Philippine-American wars, last recorded use was by troops in China in 1912. The helmet was officially discontinued in 1909. This helmet was originally khaki in color however someone has applied a white paint at some point. However it is a nice example of early US headgear.