Interesting Civil Defense Helmet

[SergeantMajorGray]

Got this on eBay a few days ago for the high price of under $20 shipped. I knew I needed to get a CD helmet for the collection but I wanted one that was used and didn't just sit in a bomb shelter for years. This helmet I believe is the least common Civil Defense helmet type you usually see the standard CD helmet or a re-purposed M1917. This one is made by B.F McDonald Mfg Co. in LA it has a nice large factory painted Air Raid Warden insignia and is named to a H. Meister it looks like there was a address tag on it at one point. The leather is very fragile but everything's still in one piece.

[SergeantMajorGray]

[SergeantMajorGray]

[SergeantMajorGray]

[SergeantMajorGray]

[Terry K.]

Looks like a civilian hard hat converted for use by CD.

[SergeantMajorGray]

here's another but the liner is attached differently. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300954840811

[SergeantMajorGray]

Looks like a civilian hard hat converted for use by CD.

I thought hard hats were made from the same materials as helmet liners. EDIT I found you are right B.F McDonald is a well know hard hat company and it's made of aluminum but since I have found another and the insignia is so well painted I think they made some CD helmets.

[SergeantMajorGray]

here's a green factory guard helmet from the same Mfg that sold on the forum. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/184001-ww2-factory-guard-helmet/

[HeadOfSteel]

Very nice CD helmet. The decal on the front represents the "Air Raid/Watch." These are actually quite common.

Still a great helmet.

 

HOS

[Justin]

Nice helmet. Need a gas mask and bag set to display with it?

[SergeantMajorGray]

Nice helmet. Need a gas mask and bag set to display with it?

I might my birthday is coming up PM me with the details please.

[SergeantMajorGray]

Very nice CD helmet. The decal on the front represents the "Air Raid/Watch." These are actually quite common.

Still a great helmet.

 

HOS

I like that it's named you usually don't see that. I know air raid helmets are common but is this manufacturer common?

[SergeantMajorGray]

Any one got any tips on the leather in that one spot other than don't touch it? lol it looks like it breaking is inevitable.

[Bob Hudson]

Looks like a civilian hard hat converted for use by CD.

 

My experience has been that the most common Civil Defense helmets were these deep bowl helmets. Paste this phrase into google and then click googles IMAGES link, and you'll see lots of this style with CD markings on the forum:

 

site:usmilitariaforum.com civil defense helmet

[SergeantMajorGray]

 

My experience has been that the most common Civil Defense helmets were these deep bowl helmets. Paste this phrase into google and then click googles IMAGES link, and you'll see lots of this style with CD markings on the forum:

 

site:usmilitariaforum.com civil defense helmet

It looks like I only see one of this type the rest of them are the Mccord made helmets.

[USMC-RECON0321]

Here are some that I had at one time, but traded them off. Some are re-purposed GI issue WWI and WWII and one hard hat issue.

 

 

[BOLO]

SgtMajorGrey

 

did you say your CD helmet is made out of aluminum? I also have one of these painted in factory OG and it's made of steel with the fixed loops varient

 

I noticed yours has the removable suspension that clips onto the shell, Ive seen this same design on later versions of aluminum hard hats made by B.F. McDonald Co, Los Angeles

 

I think yours may even be a later design CD helmet? could even be from the 1950's - 60's

[SergeantMajorGray]

SgtMajorGrey

 

did you say your CD helmet is made out of aluminum? I also have one of these painted in factory OG and it's made of steel with the fixed loops varient

 

I noticed yours has the removable suspension that clips onto the shell, Ive seen this same design on later versions of aluminum hard hats made by B.F. McDonald Co, Los Angeles

 

I think yours may even be a later design CD helmet? could even be from the 1950's - 60's

It could be steel all the other B.F Mcdonald hard hats are made from aluminum but they are not the same design as this one. Why do you think the decal could be later is it because it's larger? from what I've seen post WW2 helmets have CD decals.

[BOLO]

Im not sure when they stopped using that type of Civil Defense symbol for Air Raid warden?

[SergeantMajorGray]

I have found 3 more of the exact helmet all named to different wardens all coming out of Grasonville Maryland. the other 3 came out of a mans estate but were named to different people perhaps he was the local commander and kept all the helmets.

[SergeantMajorGray]

Here is my Civil Defense display thanks again Justin for the mask.

[Justin]

Looking good! Glad you like it!

[BOLO]

here's a US M1917 helmet that was used for Civil Defense Air Raid Warden, I saw at the antique mall, the price tag was $150

[Grant G.]

I have owned quite a few helmet liners repurposed for Civil Defense use, even some Hawleys and paratrooper liners! Notice the cut A-yokes and CD armband tucked underneath the suspension on this Westy.

https://www.facebook.com/Circa1941/photos/a.646660608761656.1073741832.252582294836158/667118033382580/?type=3&theater