Original Chinese WWII Officer’s Cork Sun Helmet with Chinese Porcelain Sun Badge by Tung Sheng Ho Hat Co. of Tientsin
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Original Item. Only One Available. Many armies marched into China while wearing sun helmets. This included the European powers that fought in the Boxer Rebellion, the American soldiers that protected U.S. interests in the early 20th century, and notably the Japanese that invaded in 1937. However, the sun helmet was also used by Nationalist forces during the prolonged war with Japan. Philip Jowett noted in his book The Chinese Army: 1937-49 – World War II and Civil War (Osprey Publishing, 2005, page 24): “Some Nationalist soldiers wore a distinctive cork pith helmet of the polo style.”
This is an outstanding example of a Chinese-made sun helmet with a cloth-covered cork construction. The exterior color is white with a white leather trim along the rim. The original leather chinstrap is retained, stretched taut over the front brim. To the front is a gorgeous porcelain Chinese sun badge which is stitched via three holes.
The interior shows very heavy wear to the cork material with many holes and some loss of material. On the cork are remnants of two Chinese maker’s labels. Thankfully, the leather sweatband is embossed with the maker’s information in Chinese and English:
Tung Sheng Ho Hat Co. (Tientsin)
We couldn’t find much information on this maker, which makes sense considering what China was going through at the time. The condition is overall excellent with heavy color fading and some staining on the exterior, indicative of heavy period use but not abuse. The underside of the sweatband also has some scattered Chinese markings. The exterior crown has a small floral-shaped metal vent as opposed to the rounded dome-style vent cover seen on most pith helmets of this period. The small vent is likely nickel-plated brass.
The first example we have offered, and a truly phenomenal example. You will not find another like it for sale online. Ready for further research and display.
- This product is available for international shipping.
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