Military Sun helmets of the World

[Stuart Bates]

Peter Suciu and I have just published a book entitled Military Sun helmets of the World. It covers countries from Britain to America, Germany to Paraguay. It is a hardcover book and contains nearly 200 full colour helmet and black/white period photographs. Dare we say a must for those interested in sun helmets? But that is blatant selling hype - Check out www.militarysunhelmets.com for details - and make up your own minds.

I have to say that moving from simply collecting to publishing has been a real fillip. We hope some of you feel that it has been worthwhile

Edited March 22, 2009 by Stuart Bates

[sabrigade]

Congratulations! I hope to get a copy.

Regards,

Will

[Stuart Bates]

Congratulations! I hope to get a copy.

Regards,

Will

I forgot to say that the book will be available either from the USA or Australia for shipment worldwide and can be ordered via www.militarysunhelmets.com PayPal is accepted.

Stuart

Edited March 22, 2009 by Stuart Bates

[Peter_Suciu]

I am hoping to have the copies of the book within the next week. As soon as the copies arrive I will let you know. This has been a lifelong drive to write this book, and I am honored to have been aided by Stuart with it.

I hope everyone is pleased with the results.

[Peter_Suciu]

Copies of Military Sun Helmets of the World are now available. Send me a PM if you are interested in a copy.

[Ed_Haynes]

Very VERY interesting! Thanks to both of you.

How do you distinguish between "military" and "civil" topis? In India, at least, that line was elusive and shops made and sold what they did.

Very interesting publication!

[Stuart Bates]

Very VERY interesting! Thanks to both of you.

How do you distinguish between "military" and "civil" topis? In India, at least, that line was elusive and shops made and sold what they did.

Very interesting publication!

Ed,

we concentrated on military through Dress Regulations, Army Council Instructions and impeccable sources like Brian Davis, Ron Kidd, John Mollo, Michael Barthorp etc (see the Bibliography).

Civilian hats/helmets were used e.g. Cawnpores and the Bombay Bowlers but we found no official presence for them. That is, apart from the Cawnpore's use being discontinued by ACI 284. There is no doubt that officers bought civilian helmets but issue to the men is problemmatic in the early days.

However, following is a photo showing soldiers waiting to embark and either wearing Cawnpores or wearing the Colonial pattern helmet with a Cawnpore strung across their backs, or vice versa. So it may have been a regimental issue of civilian helmets to preserve the regulation cork one.

The Indian authorities, generally speaking, did not appreciate the cost of cork helmets and were always looking for ways to get around the War Office edicts and therefore save on expenditure.

Stuart

PS. Can't do any better on the resolution of the photo.

Edited April 26, 2009 by Stuart Bates