MasonK Posted January 12, 2012 Share #1 Posted January 12, 2012 Hi All, I recently acquired this M1881 pattern Dress Officers Helmet. It is not in my possession as of yet, however I’m waiting patiently for it to arrive! I have also ordered a replacement period spike and base. Reason for my post is I am trying to determine what the “SPC” is in reference to on the dress helmet plate. I know 3's would typically indicate a regiment. The helmet is named via a tag on the interior, which is partially obscured, however appears to say POST 160, 1610 or possibly 460. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share #2 Posted January 12, 2012 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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MasonK Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share #4 Posted January 13, 2012 BTT Anyone able to assist with an ID? I'm coming up blank on my searches. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted January 21, 2012 Well, the helmet has arrived. The replacement spike I purchased fits however the spike base sent to me was the incorrect one. :thumbdown: These are easy to obtain, though, so I should have no issue locating one. I've discussed with some on the forum and no luck in identifying the meaning of SPC on the helmet plate. It is assumed this is for a militia group, however no luck with my searches identifying which one. As I previously said, this is named, but again, no luck in identifying the original owner. The tag appears to read Japanese. A Holwel and below that Post 100. Any ideas would be helpful. Overall, it displays nicely despite a few condition issues. Thanks for looking! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share #6 Posted January 21, 2012 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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67Rally Posted March 20, 2013 Share #16 Posted March 20, 2013 Eric - I wish I could help on the ID of those initials. The helmet is gorgeous and would look great with my own gear. Thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted March 20, 2013 Author Share #17 Posted March 20, 2013 Eric - I wish I could help on the ID of those initials. The helmet is gorgeous and would look great with my own gear. Thanks for sharing! Thanks, Shawn! I've pretty much given up on all research....Now I just stare and shake a fist at it because it confuses me....Just kidding! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted March 20, 2013 Share #18 Posted March 20, 2013 Just saw this for the first time! Must've missed it last year. If you don't mind me saying so Eric, it's a very "British" looking helmet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted March 20, 2013 Author Share #19 Posted March 20, 2013 Just saw this for the first time! Must've missed it last year. If you don't mind me saying so Eric, it's a very "British" looking helmet! Indeed it is! According to this Wiki article, looks like the Brits beat us to this style helmet (specifically with the inclusion of a spike) by a few years, adopting this style in 1878. The M1881, the M1917...you always have to be one step ahead of us, huh! http://en.wikipedia....iki/Pith_helmet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted March 20, 2013 Share #20 Posted March 20, 2013 Taking the pith again Eric?! Such helmets are still worn in military ceremonies...bandsmen etc. Also, the same basic design is alive and well in the form of the traditional policeman's helmet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patriot Posted March 20, 2013 Share #21 Posted March 20, 2013 Just for the heck of it, I ran his name through the Civil War database. I found a "James A Holwell", of the 9th New York Infantry. While this helmet dates to the later half of the 1800's, it could be possible that the helmet is affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic, or similar veterans organization. The reference to a post number seems to suggest that this is a possibility. So..... could that be an abbreviation for "James", and not Jasper? James A. Holwell Residence was not listed; 23 years old. Enlisted on 4/23/1861 at New York City, NY as a Drummer. On 5/4/1861 he mustered into "A" Co. NY 9th Infantry He was Mustered Out on 5/20/1863 at New York, NY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72psb Posted March 20, 2013 Share #22 Posted March 20, 2013 Do not know anything about this era,howerver a search reveals that SP is short for Medical Specialist.Like AD-air defense,MP military police,MI military intelligence..etc. Maybe Medical Specialist Corp. Just a WAG. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted March 21, 2013 Author Share #23 Posted March 21, 2013 Do not know anything about this era,howerver a search reveals that SP is short for Medical Specialist.Like AD-air defense,MP military police,MI military intelligence..etc. Maybe Medical Specialist Corp. Just a WAG. Bob Thanks, Bob. I'm more inclined to think it is the initials for a state militia unit. However, trying to nail down one is damn near impossible. For example, below is a link to a list of militia units in California alone: http://www.militarymuseum.org/Militia%20Units.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted March 21, 2013 Author Share #24 Posted March 21, 2013 Just for the heck of it, I ran his name through the Civil War database. I found a "James A Holwell", of the 9th New York Infantry. While this helmet dates to the later half of the 1800's, it could be possible that the helmet is affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic, or similar veterans organization. The reference to a post number seems to suggest that this is a possibility. So..... could that be an abbreviation for "James", and not Jasper? James A. Holwell Residence was not listed; 23 years old. Enlisted on 4/23/1861 at New York City, NY as a Drummer. On 5/4/1861 he mustered into "A" Co. NY 9th Infantry He was Mustered Out on 5/20/1863 at New York, NY Thanks, Patriot. I'd never considered it may be GAR or other Veteran Organization related. This is highly likely especially considering you were able to find a matching name. I was able to find James in the 1880 Census. In addition, there is a Pension file which would put his approximate DOD around 1900, so it's entirely possible that he would have been alive when this helmet was readily available: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted March 21, 2013 Author Share #25 Posted March 21, 2013 With a little more digging, I was able to find him in a family tree which lists his DOD as Nov. 1899. This matches up with what the pension file lists. Included in the family tree was a photo of James: The only non-matching info is the name for NY GAR Post 100 is E.A. Kimball, which doesn't match SPC: http://www.loc.gov/r...pendix/ny1.html Not to say the SPC isn't in reference to something else, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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