MattS Posted September 16, 2019 Share #1 Posted September 16, 2019 The story behind this (I know, I know, buy the item and not the story) is that it was worn in Vietnam by a 'brown water navy' skipper, either PBRs or Swift Boats, but wearing this while underway seems like a bad idea as it would fly off. It's a neat helmet with pin-on Lt bars and a laundry mark that begins with 'O', so maybe it was a Lt O'Neill, or Olsen, or something. The paint is worn down in areas and looks to have been sprayed on. Any thoughts are appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted September 16, 2019 Author Share #2 Posted September 16, 2019 Back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted September 16, 2019 Author Share #3 Posted September 16, 2019 Inside Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted September 16, 2019 Author Share #4 Posted September 16, 2019 Top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted September 16, 2019 Share #5 Posted September 16, 2019 I'd be skeptical about the story on this one due to the following observations Those are not USN LT bars, they're Army or USAF Captains' tracks O-3117 is a typical Army ID method of marking gear, we would stencil our initials or name and/or rank on our gear That being said, I have an identical (but not painted) USN pith helmet still in my seabag with my gear from my first Salvage ship. What's different is that it is stamped with the Mfg. and stock number info under the brim. It also has a chin strap as I recall. If I come across it, I'll post a photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted September 16, 2019 Author Share #6 Posted September 16, 2019 I'd be skeptical about the story on this one due to the following observations Those are not USN LT bars, they're Army or USAF Captains' tracks O-3117 is a typical Army ID method of marking gear, we would stencil our initials or name and/or rank on our gear It does look like an army laundry number, but I'd disagree with the bars. The USA/USAF captain bars have the center cross bars closer to the middle, these are USN/USMC pattern. See: https://www.vanguardmil.com/products/air-force-rank-insignia-captain-nickel-plated https://www.vanguardmil.com/products/senior-lieutenant-coat-device Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted September 16, 2019 Share #7 Posted September 16, 2019 Matt, Do you have a side view of the helmet? The grommets on the VN USN era helmet I have has six ventilation grommets in two inline rows, two up and four down and they're above and below the faux band, not through it. There is also one in the front center. In the row of four on the side, the center two secure a metal clip to hold the suspension and the chin strap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted September 16, 2019 Author Share #8 Posted September 16, 2019 I don't have a photo handy, but I believe there are 6 grommets total, 3 on each side in a V (2 above, 1 below). Not marked at all which doesn't help dating it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted September 16, 2019 Share #9 Posted September 16, 2019 For comparison, this is my USN pith helmet which I got from Subic Bay Naval Station. I'm not saying that the one you've posted isn't real, but I know for certain that this one is a USN Vietnam era pith helmet. Front view- Center Grommet & chin strap Right side view - Six grommets in two rows, two upper, four lower, above and below the faux hat band Left side view - same, same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted September 16, 2019 Share #10 Posted September 16, 2019 Interior suspension with adjustable head band & adjustable chin strap attached to a metal clip and secured to the center two lower gromments on each side Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted September 16, 2019 Share #11 Posted September 16, 2019 Detail of interior suspension/hat band clip attached on the right and left sides. The suspension band is attached to the metal clip with interior grommets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted September 16, 2019 Share #12 Posted September 16, 2019 Detail of hat band adjustment and stock number (Defense Supply Agency) and inspectors mark (17) HELMET, SUN DSA 100-4036 8415-161-4773 DSA = Defense Supply Agency, which predated the Defense Logistics Agency. So it had to be made sometime between 1961 and 1977 when DSA existed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted September 16, 2019 Author Share #13 Posted September 16, 2019 Thanks for the comparison photos! How widespread were pith helmets in the USN at that time? Even if this isn't original, I'm not very concerned for what little money I have in it. I thought the camo was well done, maybe it was done in the 1980s. Who knows? It could just be a civilian pith that was acquired by an officer, or it's a complete fabrication. The possibilities are numerous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted September 16, 2019 Author Share #14 Posted September 16, 2019 I do have a pith helmet identical in pattern to yours named to a USMC officer, but missing the strap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted September 16, 2019 Share #15 Posted September 16, 2019 Thanks for the comparison photos! How widespread were pith helmets in the USN at that time? Nice one, that's a USN/USMC pith helmet As for the usage, not very much and there were piles of them in the Servmarts' and supply centers which is where I got mine. When I took it back to the ship the Quartermaster Chief said if he ever saw me wearing it, he would pitch it over the side with me in it.....so it's been in my seabag ever since. I only saw them being worn at Diego Garcia and Midway where the uniform of the day was shorts and shower shoes with a pith helmet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted September 16, 2019 Author Share #16 Posted September 16, 2019 Nice one, that's a USN/USMC pith helmet As for the usage, not very much and there were piles of them in the Servmarts' and supply centers which is where I got mine. When I took it back to the ship the Quartermaster Chief said if he ever saw me wearing it, he would pitch it over the side with me in it.....so it's been in my seabag ever since. I only saw them being worn at Diego Garcia and Midway where the uniform of the day was shorts and shower shoes with a pith helmet. Great story! Funny you should mention Diego Garcia... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted September 16, 2019 Share #17 Posted September 16, 2019 There ya go, Diego Garcia...... We should realistically be calling these Sun Helmets, not pith helmets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted September 16, 2019 Author Share #18 Posted September 16, 2019 There ya go, Diego Garcia...... We should realistically be calling these Sun Helmets, not pith helmets True, that's what the stamp says. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sigsaye Posted September 17, 2019 Share #19 Posted September 17, 2019 I also remember stacks of these being sold in the Navy Exchange in Subic, in the early 1979s. Something like $2. But they were like Salvage Sailors. I think the one in the OP, is a civilian version. I have/had one like it. I was a Bee Keeper, and had one with the net fitted over it. No vent holes (it did have the elastic chin strap). Ive moved since then, not sure where it is now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sigsaye Posted September 17, 2019 Share #20 Posted September 17, 2019 I also remember stacks of these being sold in the Navy Exchange in Subic, in the early 1979s. Something like $2. But they were like Salvage Sailors. I think the one in the OP, is a civilian version. I have/had one like it. I was a Bee Keeper, and had one with the net fitted over it. No vent holes (it did have the elastic chin strap). Ive moved since then, not sure where it is now.. That should actually say, Early 1970s. Fat fingers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Posted August 29, 2020 Share #21 Posted August 29, 2020 I have a sun helmet, marked "U.S.N. Contract N140". It has the 6 grommets on each side. I will assume it will date after Vietnam era?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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