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Dark Blue 50's era helmet.

Featured Replies

#1

Hello all,

 

I have a helmet that I've had since the early 70's that I'd love to have someone here tell me a little about it. The Helmet and liner are both painted dark blue with no other markings that I could see. The helmet is a swivel bail, rear seamed with a heat stamp that looks like 1041. The liner is a Westinghouse / Capac stamped 1952. Here are a few pics. any idea who would have worn this?

 

Helmet.jpg

Helmetback.jpg

Helmetstrap.jpg

Linerright.jpg

Linerleft.jpg

Liner.jpg

 

Thanks for any info.

 

Mark

#2

looks like a police helmet, maybe Navy Police/Security? :think:

 

Philip

#3

Could have been anything or anyone? Civilian or military?

 

That chinstrap looks like its worth more than the pot. be careful with it.

 

Mark

#4

sorry. double post

  • Author
#5

Here's the stamp inside the liner.

 

Capacliner.jpg

 

Mark

#6
Here's the stamp inside the liner.

 

Capacliner.jpg

 

Mark

 

 

yea, thats a green buckle. very nice helmet set. hope to figure out what it was used as. my guess is base police/security.

 

Philip

  • Author
#7
looks like a police helmet, maybe Navy Police/Security? :think:

 

Philip

 

That may be plausible, The man who gave it to me was a retired Baltimore Police Captain, who had served in the military.

 

Mark

#8

My guess is possibly Air Police?.....or like has been mentioned civillian police?....and like mark 37thguy has said, that liner leather chinstrap is the green hardware very desirable version!......mike

#9

Civilian Police

#10
liner leather chinstrap is the green hardware very desirable version!

 

Until I sell one my VG conition ones and it only ends for $45.. :crying:

  • Author
#11
Civilian Police

 

By "Civilian Police", do you mean not even military at all, but surplus U. S. helmets sold to State or County Police to use?

 

Mark

#12
By "Civilian Police", do you mean not even military at all, but surplus U. S. helmets sold to State or County Police to use?

 

Mark

 

 

Yes.

 

I personally own an M1917A1 that was used by the Kohler, WI Police during one of their riots in the 30's.

 

 

I also know the Delaware State Police had M-1's that were painted dark blue that were used for Riot duty. Also take note that the previous owner was a Baltimore City Police officer.

  • Author
#13

Thank you kindly, everyone, for answering my questions. I love learning about these helmets I have had for many years.

 

Mark

#14

In 1968, the Nebraska State Basketball Tournament was moved from Omaha to Lincoln due to riots in Omaha. The Police in Lincoln showed up to the games wearing dark blue M1 helmets and riot sticks. At the Championship game it looked like there were more police than the city had all with the blue M1's. The star for Omaha Central had been arrested in a car full of Molotov Cocktails, but got to play. He didn't like a call toward the end of the game and started beating on a ref, he got kicked out of the game and the police needed the helmets. The fans of his team threw everything that wasn't nailed down and after a long delay to restore order and clean off the court the game started again. My High School Lincoln Northeast won 54 to 50 and the post game celebrations were delayed until the central fans had cleared the building and the riot outside was over. The game was held at the University of Nebraska Coliseum and the central fans attacked the university students. I bet the helmets and riot sticks got a workout, but the police wouldn't even let us stand up.

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