Pith Helmet with characteristics that I haven’t seen before.

[Levallois]

This looks like a Bombay Bowler but has some interesting features. First it has a smaller brim than I’ve seen. Second there doesn’t appear to have had a chin strap. Third, the spring under the headband is new to me and is attached to the hat like it’s meant to be there. Last the holes with grommets for air circulation are huge. Made by Walter Barnard & Son, 97 Jermyn Street, St. James, London, patented in 1899, made for A.G. Spaulding & Bros. Has anyone seen this mix of features before? Shown with a similarly aged Woseley for comparison. Any comments will be appreciated. Thanks for looking.

 

[Levallois]

Well, I should have gone to the internet as well as posting here. There are examples including this helmet listed by another seller and another just like it on another site. Apparently, this design is apparently only attributable to Barnard and Son which can be explained by the patent. There is also supposed to be a similar South African design. I haven’t seen this helmet in any African safari photos. I’m less familiar with Indian Shikar adventures which I intend to rectify forthwith.