Original Item: Only One available. This is a nice example of the rare Aden Pattern WW2 Italian officers helmet. Notable features include an heavily embroidered 3rd light infantry badge, complete leather chinstrap and liner which is very nicely stamped UNIONE MILIAREY. Size is approximately 6 3/4 and overall condition is good with some minor staining and wear throughout.
While it is hard not to see that the Italian Model 1928 helmet was at least highly influenced by the British Wolseley helmet, the Italian military also seemed taken by the Anglo-Indian Cawnpore helmet. This particular topee, which is noted for its quilted pattern, was first a popular as a civilian helmet, but soon found its way to the military as a private purchase item.
Originally dubbed the Cawnpore Tent Club hat, it was popularized by the Prince of Wales visit to India 1875-76. From the First World War to the 1930s the helmet was chosen by fashion thinking British Officers, but in 1938 the Commander-in-Chief India dictated that the Cawnpore Tent Club helmet along with the Wolseley were to be phased out in favor of the Khaki Solar Pith Hat.
However, the Cawnpore did see much use in World War II, but actually as an Italian helmet. The Kingdom of Italy, which was a late comer to the age of colonization had long looked to the British for helmets and other equipment. As Italys East African colonies in Somalia and Eritrea were close to the British colonies in British East Africa (today Kenya), Aden and British Somalia this is fact is not surprising.
The Cawnpore was very popular with the Italians, who likely first purchased Anglo-Indian made ones in Aden which thereafter gave it a new moniker.
It is believed that Italian officers, who typically purchased tailored versions of their uniforms looked to set themselves apart from the enlisted men, who wore the M28 cork sun helmet. No officers version was ever produced, and instead most Italian officers those with the money to spend purchased an Aden helmet.
Where it gets confusing in regards to the 1928 Giornale Militare Ufficiale, where there are two helmets described: one white and one khaki. The former was for officers and the latter for troops, whilst the khaki one was referred to as an Aden type. However, in the 1929 version of the dress regulations, it lists, helmet, khaki, Aden-type and it differs from the aforementioned khaki helmet.
However, this Aden one is reported to be quilted and the chin strap passes through the helmet and goes over the crown, which does indeed sound like a Cawnpore.
So how did the Italians get these helmets? Like any tourist they bought them during their travels. Port Said was the gateway for many of Europes troops and Italy was no exception. Many officers visited the haberdashers there and privately purchased helmets. Even though many of these helmets have Italian labels, they came from British hat makers. Additionally, before WWII, Italians came through British Egypt, where British-made sun helmets were ubiquitous.
Description courtesy of Peter Suciu and www.militarysunhelmets.com.
