Model 1881 White Helmet Repros

[Grapeshot]

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

The first Sun Helmets the US Army issued were bought from the Brits and were of the Foreign Service Patern.

[cpt dan blodgett]

Finally got around to opening mine last night.  Band says Village Hat Shop.  Brim not real pointy, 6 panels.  Basicly look a lot like the two white ones posted above.

Grapeshot as I recall you died your helmet with coffee or tea correct?

[Grapeshot]

Finally got around to opening mine last night.  Band says Village Hat Shop.  Brim not real pointy, 6 panels.  Basicly look a lot like the two white ones posted above.

Grapeshot as I recall you died your helmet with coffee or tea correct?

Not quite.  I bought one of the Kahki ones and pulled the turban off.  I then removed the sweat band and repositioned it and used some dry cleaning solution on the cover to remove the glue that held the turban in place.  I then glued a half inch strip of bias tape around the outer circumfrance, covering the thread used to hold the sweat band in place and painted the helmet with a watered down acrylic craft paint of the appropriate kahki color to make everything unifom in color and texture.

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[cpt dan blodgett]

Ah.

Just acquired two white ones, will dress up the better of the 2 and make the other Khaki.  Have read they used coffee or tea way back when to do the same thing.

[Grapeshot]

Ah.

Just acquired two white ones, will dress up the better of the 2 and make the other Khaki.  Have read they used coffee or tea way back when to do the same thing.

Sounds about right.  Good luck in your endevour, sir.

[cpt dan blodgett]

I start of the process yesterday afternoon.  Surprising how much coffee it takes.  Getting the color smooth uneven is someone problematic.  What looks good when everything is wet does not ever look as good when it dries.  I used a scrub brush to remove dark spots. Will see how even the color looks tonight.

[cpt dan blodgett]

Coffee seems to be working, but getting even color is problematic.  Have been wetting with water and then using a brush to remove areas of heavy coloring. 

It the helmet does not look pretty good tonight, I may mix up a sink or bucket full where I can do a dip to the brim treatment rather than the sponging on technique I have been using.

Khaki die might have been a better stroke than coffee, but the price was right.

[G.W. Strong]

I'm told I should have mine tomorrow.

[cpt dan blodgett]

Received a period 9th Infantry plate from old doughboy today.  The 9 turned upsidedown looks like a 6 to me so works with my affilation to the 6th.
Appears like an order to S&S will finish the white one is in order.  Thinking I may just leave the khaki plain

[G.W. Strong]

Mine arrived yesterday

[G.W. Strong]

I had to remove the headband because it made the hat too small. I will put in a new one. Otherwise it looks good.