Police helmet

[Buster 823]

I picked up this  nice police helmet up yesterday, i know absolutely nothing on these, it's dated 1938 on he liner, would there be a date on the actual helmet ? Also I can see remnants of white paint just above the police stensiling, but to faint to make out.

 

[Fritz 6,626]

There were stacks of these in the mid 1960s on sale for 2 shillings a piece, almost mint. There may be stamps on the chinstrap bales, or inside the brim?

[Buster 823]

16 hours ago, Fritz said:

There were stacks of these in the mid 1960s on sale for 2 shillings a piece, almost mint. There may be stamps on the chinstrap bales, or inside the brim?

 If only things where  priced so reasonable  today , I suppose  there wasn't the same collectors market as there is today, I remember picking up british death plaques for   around a £1 in the late 70s & victory medals  for 50p ., my first iron cross was £10 , it was my pride & joy, but £10 was a massive expense  for a 12 year old back then . I used to spend every Saturday trailing round the  Barras market to every militaria  trader up there .

[Fritz 6,626]

If things were so priced today, they wouldn't have any value!  In the mid 60s I think Victory Medals were around 1 pound.
For a 1916 German helmet in 1964 (in top condition minus chinstrap) the price was 45 shillings, I got it for 2 pounds, but it took me a long time to save for, luckily, the dealer kept it for a deposit of 10 shillings. Helmets in this condition are offered now for well over 900 Euros or pounds upwards.
I still have that helmet in the same condition today.
The helmet was 48 years old when I got it, it is now over 103 years old!

[Buster 823]

That's a lovely helmet , nice that you  have held onto it all these years! Doesit still hsve the pads inside?

[Fritz 6,626]

yes, all complete apart from the chinstrap. The condition has not changed since 1964, due to the delicate nature of this type of liner, I have always put a thick wad of newspaper inside, so that it does not sag downwards, because otherwise the leather breaks around the attachments and detaches over the years. I also store the helmet in a transparent polythene bag, which keeps it fresh and protects against dampness, rust, knocks and scratches. Apart from the liner, the original paintwork is always the most vulnerable part of an original helmet. Even better in a glass case.
My father always liked this helmet, as he lived through the WW1 period, and was always inspired by the leaders, the soldiers and feats of the Kaiser's army, which held out for 4 years against a world of enemies and a disastrous and effective Allied sea blockade, and was "never defeated in the field..."
and also all my friends at the time were all very impressed and awestuck by this historic piece.

It is marked ET64 = Eisenhüttenwerk Thale/Harz, shell size 64, which is about 54/56 head size.

[leon21 2,868]

Hi Buster, not all shells were stamped I have one stamped BMB but it is very faint and hard to read, others I've seen just have a code stamp

like G30 and date but no manufacturer stamp.

Nice looking helmet in good condition.