Hi everyone, I recently after 5 years of waiting, purchased my 1st pattern tropical pith helmet! Its hard for me to type this right now, I'm so upset. I was trying to look underneath the chinstrap because it was kind of stained underneath, and when I lifted the strap it broke where it was bending to go around the top of the brim. I'm shaking I can't believe I just did this! After waiting so long to get one, and to finally get such a nice peice only to ruin it! I feel like I shouldn't be collecting. I feel ashamed, sad... The only thing I can think about is repairing it! This helmet is something I want to keep for the rest of my life, so personally repairing it is the best way to move on from this point. Does anyone have any experience or suggestions to help me out? I'd greatly appreciate it. I just cannot believe I ruined my helmet Any help will be great. Thank you so much!

Jake

I understand fully!! When I got my Pith helmet the strap was already broken once and someone stitched it back together. doubtful that it was period done. Anyway after examining, I myself broke it in another spot. Then I oiled the strap and inside liner rim thinking I was doing a world of good. Then I stumbled upon this helmet forum and learned a lot! The best thing you can do for your helmets is nothing!! All you can do is make this a learning experience It's not a total loss unless you decide to repair it. The leather is especially thin on Pith Helmets that and being 60+ years old. Sorry for drawing this out I had a lot of coffee this mourning.

If you want to repair it, put some super glue on both broken ends and put the halves together. Hold them together until the glue sets. Don't overdo the glue as you only need a little. Wipe off any excess right away and if you matched the halfs together right, the break will not be so noticable, Ray

Jake, Good morning--Super glue worked for me on a Luftwaffe NCO dress bayonet with a thin Luft. leather strap portepee--you can't tell the difference and it's as strong as the rest of the strap--but only use a tiny bit!! I know how you feel however as years ago I used Pledge on a dried out M35 helmet liner and it shriveled up before my very eyes!It was like a horror movie and I couldn't stop it. Sincerely,Hugh.