Force Publique / Congo / Wolseley pith hat

[Tabora]

Belgian congo "Wolseley pith hat"


I bought this headset to a person who is separated from a memory of his godfather.


Another version, more rare (! Not mine ](*,) ), that worn by one of four drivers (Short seaplane 827) of M'Toa, unit having bombed the Graf von Gotzen:

Sold there in a few years

1930/ 1940:

Mick

 

[ww1czechlegion]

Hi Mick,

Thanks for posting your images of these rare items! Congratulations on a fine collection!

Best Regards,

Alan

 

[Tabora]

Hi Alan!

Thanks a lot !!

Regards

Mick

 

[rob6218]

What a fantastic collection of piths! Really marvelous!! :bravo:

 

[b.loree]

A great post....very educational. I had no knowledge of these pith helmets only that Belgium had controlled the Congo. An excellent collection!

 

[Tabora]

Many Thanks!

Regards

Mick

 

[Peter_Suciu]

Excellent examples. These were based on the British Wolseley pattern. The first helmets were probably British made up to World War I, and then produced by the Belgians. Interestingly these were used after the Wolseley was mostly taken out of service by the British - who found it too expense. The Wolseley is still used by the Royal Marines of course, but by the 1950s it wasn't used by the British Army.

The Belgians also supplied these helmets to Ethiopia.

 

[Tabora]

Excellent examples. These wear based on the British Wolseley pattern. The first helmets were probably British made up to World War I, and then produced by the Belgians. Interestingly these were used after the Wolseley was mostly taken out of service by the British - who found it too expense. The Wolseley is still used by the Royal Marines of course, but by the 1950s it wasn't used by the British Army.

The Belgians also supplied these helmets to Ethiopia.

Hello Peter,

Thank you!

Sun helmets of the "Force Publique" (belgian army in belgian Congo), with natural brown leather contours used by the Belgians in 1916.
Those with the blue-gray bands used in Ethiopian campaign until the decolonization of the Belgian Congo.

Please, note that the military helmets are always beige / Kakhi; civilian helmets and Police/Government's helmets are only white.

Note also that the "Force Publique (Belgian army in Congo)" has used two models:

. The french "Sugar Loaf/Pain de sucre" in origin, but in white colors;
. Wolseley from 1916 to 1960, only in kakhi (with some variations, from beige in 1916 to green in 1960) colors.

Most round and square models are not military; only civilian (Gov'nt, Police, and civilian) .

Best regards

Mick

 

[Peter_Suciu]

Hello Mick-
The French "sugar loaf" helmet or M1886 pattern was only produced in white as I can tell. Covers were issued however, in blue and khaki. I don't have a cover unforunately, but I have three examples of the 1886 helmet and one of the earlier 1878 version.

Cheers,
Peter

 

[chrispaulodale]

Great photos! Thanks for sharing.

Cheers
Chris

 

[Khukri]

Great! And so beautifully crafted !

For my Italian one ...I have to find myself a rooster for the feathers to make it a Bersaglieri helmet )
Looks great on the bookshelf !

Thank you,
Francis

 

[stuka f]

Just a little message to show Mick how uniform parts were attached.
cheers
|<ris

 

[Tabora]

Just a little message to show Mick how uniform parts were attached.
cheers
|<ris

Tanks Kris! :bravo:

I research the 1915's type for my Wangermee jacket.

Best regards

Mick

 

[Tabora]

Crazy no? Belgian Congo administrative items from 1950's +-

http://www.befr.ebay.be/itm/301165901417?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.befr.ebay.be/itm/301165861637?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[stuka f]

I know!
I am selling my stuff too, at the moment.
Re orientating to older items.

 

[JS]

hi all

I was wondering if this tunic could be a Force Publique item and which period it could be ?

Thanks & Regards
JS

 

[stuka f]

Any chance to see the details on the buttons?
Honestly, I don't think it is a FP uniform.

 

[JS]

Hi

This is the best I can do :

Thanks for looking into this !

JS

 

[stuka f]

Ok, thanks.
Those are regular Belgian army buttons.Some were in use in Belgian Congo.
But genuine FP buttons look like thise;

 

[JS]

many thanks ! so perhaps FB ? … what do you think of the label inside ?

kind regards
JS