Bidspirit auction | Span Am War US Army

Span Am War US Army M1887 4th Cav. Pith Sun Helmet - This is an exceptional example of a late 19th-century US Army Model 1887 Pattern pith helmet, featuring a striking brass ”Eagle” front plate with a silver-toned ”4” indicating the 4th Cavalry Regiment. The interior displays a clear Philadelphia contract mark dated 1899, placing this piece at the height of the Spanish-American War and Philippine-American War era. Constructed of cork covered in tan cotton drill with a ventilated top spike and iconic green-tinted under-brim, it represents the specialized tropical gear issued for campaigns in Cuba and the Philippines. The helmet shows authentic age-related wear including scattered spotting and light staining to the fabric, minor oxidation to the brass hardware, and a well-preserved interior with the original 7 1/8 size label. H 10.75”, W 9”, D 12”. Please see photos for condition.