Original U.S. Model 1881 Artillery Dress Spiked Pith Helmet by Ridabock & Co. Lanchester SMG had to withdraw to the

had to withdraw to the rear

These were always intended to be tight but with 30 years shrinkage might need a bit of stretching with the use of a good leather oil

DSA 100-67-C-3637

giving them a great patina

The handguard meets the front edge of the receiver fitted with an updated model 1901 rear sight

Original U.S. Model 1881 Artillery Dress Spiked Pith Helmet by Ridabock & Co. Lanchester SMG had to withdraw to theOriginal Item: One Only. Much like our European cousins in the 1880s, the U. S. Army started to adopt spiked pith helmets, often in white, with all brass mounts and occasionally plumes. These saw active service in the Spanish American War of 1898 especially in the tropical climate in Cuba. While often referred to as "pith helmets" in the broad sense, it was made from cork, like many European variants, such as the Wolseley pattern used by the British.