Tropical Helmet Originale Cohen Freres & Delbourgo Rue Prince Farouk Port-Said.

Mis: 55.

Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent example of a seldom encountered  sun helmet, also known as the Casque Insolaire which translates loosely to Sun Helmet (“Solar Helmet”). The pith helmet, also known as the safari helmet, salacot, sola topee, sun helmet, topee, and topi is a lightweight cloth-covered helmet made of sholapith. The pith helmet originates from the Spanish military adaptation of the native salakot headgear of the Philippines.

It was often worn by European travelers and explorers in the varying climates found in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the tropics, but it was also used in many other contexts. It was routinely issued to European military personnel serving overseas in hot climates from the mid-nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century.

The staining/fading that is present indicates that this helmet was most likely worn in a dry, hot climate with a bit of dirt.