Hopefully you get what you want as far as looks, that said, and as mentioned several times here, this is a Bombay Bowler not a Wolseley, two completely different styles.  Scott.

Yes the "Bombay Bowler" pith helmets are private purchase and significantly different than the issue Wolseley Foreign Service Helmets. Some-times you can find the Wolseley Helmets complete with the formation sign or flash on ebay with the tin for under $250. British Militaria is very affordable right now. Just saw a named uniform belonging to a SOE Intelligence Agent Lt. Colonel that received the DSO for capturing the head Persian based German SD Agent as well as American Legion of Merit for intelligence services rendered to the US sell on ebay for under $600 shipped (from the UK).  Un-fortunately I did not get it. 

This ribbon group was worn by a WAC who volunteered during WW2. She had been born in Germany before coming to America with her family as a child. She spoke fluent German so the Army sent her to the Pacific Theater where she served post War in the North China command. Stayed in the Army, transferred to Air Force in 1947, for 20 years before retiring. Served in Germany during the Berlin Airlift.She was the Aunt of a good friend who gave me her Dogtag and ribbons. She’s buried at Arlington. 

Thank you. I thought this to be a genuine British Army Khaki Wolseley but it seems that genuine BA Khaki Wolseleys were not made after 1942. I was impressed by the RWR insignia which now appears to be added aftermarket. Clearly it belonged to a Lt. Col Pelkey in the US Army Transport Division, That part is genuine but it is not army issue. I have a beautiful 1917 British Navy Tress & Co W which came in a storage tin for $139 which seems much better value. Seriously considering cancelling purchase.

Thanks. I’m guessing the last is also a Belgium award. I wish I knew the soldiers name. 

Thanks Blacksmith…..adding the “weathering” is the fun part.

I used to have a group named to Jack Ott who was a B-24 pilot in the 11th AF.   After receiving battle damage he was forced to land in Kamchatka where the Soviets basically kept him as a POW.   Nice group.

As far as 2 for feedback: the seller listed it once before a week or two ago and sold this same helmet for $37.00. The same seller has it listed again for substantially more as a BIN. Wither the original buyer backed out (unlikely) or he did not honor the auction sale, cancelled it and relisted it for a much higher price puts up all sort of red flags. Also a British badge has been stuck on the front to perhaps make a sale more likely or easier, adds to the case. Un-frotunately, I think in this case, the fact that an American acquired and wore the helmet in a theater of operations ads more to it than if it proved to be a British owned and used helmet (at least that is what I have found in the market with sun helmets) and the two holes punched into the helmet to hold the British badge hurts its originality.    A little history on "Bombay bowlers" and where they were sold. Nearly all are made in India and continue to this day. You can get the same shape and similar liners in India right now typically with synthetic materials.  During the British Empire, retailers throughout the empire bought and sold these Indian made pith helmets and would often have their own address and stamp placed into the helmet to show where it was retailed. It could be a retailer in Calcutta, Bombay, Madras, Islamabad. Omdurman, Port Said, Cairo, Singapore, even Kingston Jamaica as well as countless other cities throughout areas where Great Britain held influence. They would have the name of the merchant, his address and what city or town his business was located. Some where purchased in India, sent to England and labeled and then resold in large outfitting stores throughout the empire. Some-where imported to the U.S. by firms like Abercrombie & Fitch. Many including this one were purchased by American officers and worn in theater and then subsequently brought home.   I collect these and have several including the quilted WW1 examples. I prefer British owned and worn example my-self. 

Agreed to that point. Everything you supposedly have wrong with this I have explained and proven. As you said though, to each their own. If you don’t like it that’s fine. I’ve given all the information that justifies this piece.

It is not illegal to sell a purple heart   Kurt