Strange Brodie Style Helmet.

[The Rooster]

Here is a strange one I purchased this morning.

Maybe someone can shed light?

Its a rimless Pressed Brass Brodie style helmet. Complete with Liner.

It appears too substantial in its construction with the liner to be a childs toy?

I found one reference that it may have been used as a Parade helmet?

But I cant see that. If it was, you would think you would see more out there for sale ?

Anyone have any ideas as to what this is?

Hard to find any info.

The liner has a lot of age to it to my eye.

 

[The Rooster]

It could be a US legionairs helmet made in Philadelphia in the 1920's. Could be too that it is actually an aluminum helmet with a gilt finish?

Closer inspection will tell.

 

[elh1311]

These helmets aren't really my lane but if I remember correctly, the New Zealand-produced helmets were rimless. 

[elh1311]

https://web.archive.org/web/20170817163520/http://thebrodiehelmet.weebly.com/mkii---new-zealand.html

[elh1311]

The link I attached has info on the different heat stamps. If it is a New Zealand-produced helmet, I would be interested in discussing it more with you. 

[AustinO]

Could be Brit private purchase, but could also be a construction hardhat made from a leftover blank.  Both are possibilities - but I don't know enough about either to speculate one way or the other.  Its certainly not an issue item from WWI or WWII. 

[manayunkman]

It’s a construction hard hat made of brass because it won’t conduct electricity.

[Steve B.]

Quote

 

It’s a construction hard hat made of brass because it won’t conduct electricity.

Not so.  Brass DOES conduct electricity.

[The Rooster]

Thank you for the replies. I still have not gotten this in.

As soon as it comes in I will update with fresh pics. It may be aluminum and covered with a gilded wash? May be a legioneers helmet?

Thats the closest I have found to what it may be.

[The Rooster]

Okay.... I got it in today. It is brass. Thin brass.,

And inside there are 2 names. One is scratched out.

The remaining name is Felix Angelo.

There was a Felix Angelo born in 1897 died in 1961 who served in WW1.

I am convinced now that this is a legionaries VFW parade helmet prob from the mid 20's into the 30's.

 

[The Rooster]

I believe that the reason these are so scarce and unknown is that since they were made of brass,

Im guessing most of these were melted for scrap during ww2 ?

The VFW's across the country prob donated tons of these in scrap drives.

[zippo88]

On 9/28/2021 at 8:36 PM, Steve B. said:

Not so.  Brass DOES conduct electricity.

 

Its waaaay less conductive than say copper- but you are right.