Pith helmet from South Africa

[FunkyGibb1]

Pith helmet got in an antique shop in South Africa, can anyone help identify it?

[FunkyGibb1]

Just realised I might have incorrectly called it a "pith" helmet - sorry, I meant sun helmet.

[Jerry B]

It is an example of the American type of sun helmet known as a Hawley Topper/trooper and made by Hawley. It has an issue stamp for the Canadian military so was used by them and appears to be named to a Lance Corporal ?????? though I can't read the name. It would be circa WWII in date, though they continued to make them post war. I have a vague recollection that some Hawley's were made in Canada?



Evolution of the American Pressed Fiber Helmet | Military Sun Helmets

[FunkyGibb1]

Cool, thanks for the help

The name looks like it might be "Rawe" but it's quite hard to make out.

It smells a bit "old", not quite sure how to describe it - would there be any way to safely clean it?

[wlotek]

Hi, It is Polo style pressed fiber helmet, as Jerry noticed made by Canadian branch of Hawley USA. It was exclusively made and exported for South African troops. Regards