~ Circa WW2 Cased Royal Navy Pith Helmet, Epaulettes & Sword Belt ~
This is a Lieutenant Commanders tropical set by Gieves with very good epaulettes.
The pith helmet is white and comes with original leather chin strap. The inner lining has a makers label inside which reads…
“By special appointment, to his majesty the king, Gieves Ltd, 21 Old Bond St, London, and at 118. princes St. Edinburgh, branches Portsmouth, Devonport, Weymouth, Dover, Chatham, Sheerness, Harwich. The ‘Aura’ patent, prevents sunstroke”.
The brass ring which attaches the vent button to the helmet reads…
“The ‘Aura’, British Patent No 137164, India Patent No 638C”
It is named to the same owner as the tin and has a sticker for the hate size of 7 1/4.
The case has a Gieves brass plate, and is stamped with the name of the original owner “R. W. Stevens, R.N.”.
The sword belt and epaulettes are both marked for Gieves too. The epaulettes have a single star and anchor giving a rank of Lieutenant Commander.
~ Dimensions ~
The helmet has a width of 11 inches (28cm), a depth of 15 inches (38.cm) and a height of 7 inches (18cm). It is size 7 1/4.
The epaulettes are 6 inches (15.5cm) wide by 7 inches (18cm) long.
The tin has a width of 12.5 inches (32cm), a depth of 16 inches (40.5cm) and a height of 13 inches (33cm).
The set weighs 3.71kg in total.
~ Condition ~
The helmet has minor honest wear, the white canvas has extensive patches of brown discoloration. The lining is in good order.
The tin has some external rust.
The belt is in very good order with bright fittings.
The epaulettes are excellent with very bright bullion work and almost no unraveling.