American Fiber Helmet

By Crusader1307

As we have discussed, the iconic ''Pith Helmet'' was a well know piece of ''Military Headgear'' in the mid-19th Century, going forward. Made of hardened organic (plant materials) and later - pressed via machine from other sources, The ''Pith'' was a symbol of ''Foreign Service'' for Soldiers (Africa, India etc.) Made even more iconic by Hollywood - what film did not portray some lonesome British Explorer in the darks of Africa, wearing one - made The Pith a ''viable piece of History''.

However, another verson of The Pith was and is still well known. This would be The Pressed Fiber Helmet of American origins. Based on The British Pith (but not quite the same), The Fiber Helmet was a cheaply made Helmet designed for ectreme Hot weather climates. Composed of treated organic material (which did not fare well if exposed to water, the Fiber Helmet made it's debut around 1934. Iss ued to The United States Marine Corps. (for all Ranks), the died green Helmet bore the simple Corps. emblem of The ''Eagle, Globe and Anchor'' (affixed to the front crown). Later, The Fiber Helmet would find it's way into US Army inventory (and issued the same way - Panama, The Philippines etc.)

Much later, to survive the often heavy exposure to rains in The Tropics - many Soliders and Marines would self ''treat'' the Fiber Helmet with a ''mixture'' of ''homemade'' chemcals and methods to ''protect'' The Helmet. After 1942, most Fiber Helmets began to fade into ''non-issue''. However, it was The Marines who maintained The Fiber Helmet. Now worn by ''Range Staff'' responsible for Basic Firearms Training, The Helmet became an issued piece only for those ''Experts'' in Firearms. Hence, even today - The Fiber Helmet is still in ''Initial Tropical Issue'' with The Marine Corps.