AnDuc49 Posted October 24, 2018 Share #1 Posted October 24, 2018 I recently had the chance to pick up this grouping online directly from the vet's grandson. During fighting in the Philippines, Anthony J. Curmaci Sr. of Scranton, PA picked up a helmet and cartridge belt off of a dead Japanese soldier, taking them home as a souviner (info via his grandson and service records). Both are in extremely poor condition, being stored poorly (in this case, a basement) since practically the end of the war. The helmet is in poor condition with only around 40-60% of it's paint job remaining. For some reason, someone at some point has removed around 30% of the paint on the rear of the helmet (perhaps they were cleaning it up?) which is unfortunate. The liner is quite dry rotted, but retains two of the three pads. The chinstrap is still tied in it's original knot and in hand, it's obvious that it was cut with a knife to make removal easier. Sections of the chinstrap are stone hard and darkly stained with what I can only assume was blood. The third pad was likely removed due to the blood staining it. The cartridge belt is in equally poor condition. Poor storage has made it extremely dry rotted. Interestingly enough, half of it is still quite pliable and not as bad compared to the other. Overall, it's a decent set and I'm happy to be the owner of an original Japanese helmet now. I hope that you all enjoy it. Please feel free to fix any mistakes I might've made Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnDuc49 Posted October 24, 2018 Author Share #2 Posted October 24, 2018 Damaged side where paint has been removedA shame really... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnDuc49 Posted October 24, 2018 Author Share #3 Posted October 24, 2018 ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnDuc49 Posted October 24, 2018 Author Share #4 Posted October 24, 2018 Close up of the star It is unaltered and you can also see the brush-strokes from the original paint job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnDuc49 Posted October 24, 2018 Author Share #5 Posted October 24, 2018 ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USCapturephotos Posted October 24, 2018 Share #6 Posted October 24, 2018 Great to have the history with it! Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundance Posted October 25, 2018 Share #7 Posted October 25, 2018 I like it. Lot of blood going on there if that part of the history is true. Regardless, Japanese helmets are just hard to find. I always wanted one as my Dad was in the Pacific. It took a while but I grabbed the first one I saw. I suppose if I went hunting for them I'd see more. I have two cartridge boxes - both hard as rocks thanks to being rubberized/waterproofed.. Do you know what division the vet was in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodes Posted October 25, 2018 Share #8 Posted October 25, 2018 Japanese helmets are hard to find....In fourty years of collecting and studying WW2, I'd say I've seen no more than a half dozen helmets show up around where I live....Bodes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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