South American Sun Helmets

[Peter_Suciu]

Many of these appeared in my book Military Sun Helmets of the World, which I wrote with the help of Stuart Bates. But a few didn't make it.

Circa 1808 Argentine Military Police sun helmet:

Model 1930 Argentine sun helmet, sometimes called the "casco italiano" as it was based on the Italian M1928 sun helmet.

A variation of the Model 1930 sun helmet, it appears this owner wore it "backwards" with the small brim to the front.

An oversized, private purchase and/or officer's pattern. This helmet is huge!

An American style pressed fiber helmet from the late 1940s with the Argentine badge:

A Brazilian helmet. While not really a "sun helmet" these were copies of the French "Adrian" helmet but were made of a waterproof fiber and were used as sun helmets in the late 1930s:

A Gran Chaco era sun helmet from Paraguay. This was likely Argentine-made, and painted to match the brown Paraguayian uniforms and to possibly waterproof it.

A Peruvian Civil Guard Cavalry helmet of the type used in the 1940 war with Ecuador. It is a French Model 1931 helmet that has been dyed greenish/blue to match the uniforms.

An Uruguayan army sun helmet. It is a French Model 1931 helmet that was either imported from France, or a South American made copy.

[sabrigade]

Hi Peter,

Maybe time to start working on the Second volume?

I have to compliment you on the extent and depth of your collection.

I am really looking forward to more updates here!

Regards,

Will

[army historian]

Hi Peter,

I second Will's remarks, very very nice collection! George Albert

[leigh kitchen]

Yes, having just read the book, I'm developing a distinct interest in sun helmets.

[Mervyn Mitton]

Good post Peter - one doesn't think of South America having this wide range of sun hats. One or two, with quite strange colouring.

[sabrigade]

Hi Leigh,

The sun helmet aspect has become a focus now for my collection.

I have also being reading Peter's great article on his "helmet room".

Regards,

Will