Model 1881 White Helmet Repros

Sgt. John McAfferty · May 18, 2012, 11:16:59 AM

Hello All,

I am getting frustrated in Toto land. I'm looking for a decent reproduction of the white Model 1881 helmet. I have a complete USMC uniform from the period and would like to wear a white helmet. I found the buttons, spike, ventilator and emblem, just not a white helmet. Anybody know who sells them?

Thank You!

Sgt. John McCafferty

Drydock · May 18, 2012, 01:25:54 PM

Call (not email, call on the old fashioned telephone) Buck or Leta at Coon Creek Old West, if they don't have it, they know where to find it. This is the time of year they travel to events around the country, so you might have to try a few times. Also as back up I might call the folks at the Quatermaster Shop, they have great rescources as well.

cpt dan blodgett · May 18, 2012, 07:20:21 PM

village hat shop $38
http://www.villagehatshop.com/pith_helmet.html?gclid=CNqs0eaJi7ACFQ5bhwodyyhzrA

G.W. Strong · May 19, 2012, 08:25:11 PM

Village hat shop is out of stock on these.

cpt dan blodgett · May 20, 2012, 11:16:40 AM

Bummer
Did they give any indication when they would have them again - if ever

cpt dan blodgett · May 20, 2012, 11:57:38 AM

http://www.museumreplicas.com/p-1695-classic-white-pith-helmet.aspx

in stock $34

FTrooper · May 20, 2012, 09:03:15 PM

I have not seen one of Coon Creek Old West yet. Previously the only 100% accurate M1880 US Helmet was made by a guy in Canada that is very hard to get a hold of. He made all the M1880 and M1895 helmets you see the Generals in "The Rough Riders" wear. Last I checked though he was getting $350 for them and has probably gone up (they are real cork and 100% accurate)...but if you can get a hold of one of the "Indian/Chinese" ones, you'd be able to rework their visors for ALOT cheaper than this guy charges.

Chris Fischer
F-Troop

FTrooper · May 20, 2012, 09:07:27 PM

Let me add...the Vietnamese ones listed above (including museum replicas) seem the have downplayed the pointy peak in front, this makes them a decent example ready to go...especially for the price.

G.W. Strong · May 21, 2012, 08:19:32 PM

They sent me an email today stating I should expect delivery in early June. I can wait for that long

Captain Barrett · May 22, 2012, 07:42:04 AM

Folks,

Attached are the undress helmets I own. IMA is where I got the white helmet from. The khaki was had off eBay...

cpt dan blodgett · May 29, 2012, 11:15:46 AM

Received the 2 White Helmets I ordered over the weekend. Still have not opened the box. My plans are to turn 1 into a Khaki, probably will dye with either coffee or tea. Near as I can tell the Khaki helmets did not have adornment, if I am wrong here please enlighten me.

The other I want to rig with the Plate, Spike and hooks for a chin strap.

Spike and Hooks are easy to find (S&S). Anyone know where to get the 1881 Infantry Eagle Plate?

G.W. Strong · May 29, 2012, 11:51:57 AM

Perhaps that means mine will be here soon as well. I look forward to tgetting them.

Grapeshot · June 01, 2012, 05:38:02 AM

Quote from: cpt dan blodgett on May 29, 2012, 11:15:46 AM
Received the 2 White Helmets I ordered over the weekend. Still have not opened the box. My plans are to turn 1 into a Khaki, probably will dye with either coffee or tea. Near as I can tell the Khaki helmets did not have adornment, if I am wrong here please enlighten me.

The other I want to rig with the Plate, Spike and hooks for a chin strap.

Spike and Hooks are easy to find (S&S). Anyone know where to get the 1881 Infantry Eagle Plate?

I found an Infantry Eagle Plate at a Band Supply store. The only fault with it is that they are made from plastic and are desighned for the band shako. They come in Shiny chrome or gold tone. The originals sometimes show up at Antique Arms shows as well as Gun Shows. Repros are very hard to find.

Captain Barrett · June 03, 2012, 08:02:14 AM

Folks,

S&S had plates, else eBay...

Drydock · June 03, 2012, 09:52:28 AM

Every time I've been in the Coon Creek tent, he's had a few. Give Buck a call if you can't find it.

cpt dan blodgett · June 03, 2012, 06:55:23 PM

Buck replied to an email he does not have one and the are hard to get. Also hear from S&S none there either

cpt dan blodgett · June 04, 2012, 04:53:33 PM

Other than the Silver Regimental Number on the Shield, is there a difference between and Enlisted Helmet Plate and an Officers.
I cannot tell from available photos.

FTrooper · June 05, 2012, 08:49:22 PM

The only real difference between officer and enlisted is quality. The enlisted have a nickeled numeral, officer's silver plate. The eagle is plain brass for enlisted, or gilt for officers. Also, more often than not the officers version is actually two piece with the eagle being one part and the shield and branch emblem (rifles, sabers, etc) being a second part...however both one and two piece are known to exist.

Also, for the REAL hardcore, there are alot of variations. Regular army ones have rifles that are clearly muskets/trapdoors with the lockplates clean, however there are alot of "militia" plates where they look like a mutant rolling block. I have also seen a version with bolt action krags as the back emblem!!!

Chris Fischer
F-Troop

cpt dan blodgett · June 06, 2012, 12:55:11 AM

Infantry officers plates appear to be next to impossible to obtain, may have to make do with brasso shined brass.

Guns Garrett · June 06, 2012, 06:23:47 PM

I don't know how well the British Foreign Service Pattern equates to the American style, but these seem fairly reasonable, tho I don't know how well-made they are:
http://www.regimental-quartermaster.com/tunics_headgear.html