British Canadian Home Service Pith Helmet Spike

The British Canadian Home Service Pith Helmet Spike is an accessory designed for use with the home service pattern pith helmets worn by military and police units in Canada during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This spike is typically produced from brass, featuring a conical shape that tapers to a point and mounts onto the crown of the helmet. Serving both decorative and symbolic functions, the spike adds to the helmet’s formal appearance and reflects British military traditions of the era. The design closely follows patterns issued in the United Kingdom, but some variations may exist to accommodate Canadian specifications. Spikes such as this were generally secured by a threaded base and nut, facilitating their removal or replacement as required for cleaning or changing between service and ceremonial finishes. The pith helmet, and its spike, remained in use for various ceremonial and parade duties well into the 20th century by Canadian forces and police.