I recently picked this up for a very good price and love the character of it.  My question isn't about trying to restore or anything like that but should I attempt or is it even possible to stabilize/preserve/re-condition or whatever the correct term is.  The webbing is very fragile and the Mitchell cover feels like it would snap if moved too much.  The leather is completely stiff and dried out.  I did gently use an air can to blow out some loose dust and debris from the liner but have done nothing else.  I seriously doubt the helmet or liner would degrade any more in my lifetime but  would hate to damage it if avoidable.  See below and appreciate any comments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your going to get alot of different opinions on this, I wouldn't touch it. You'll never get the cover back on exactly. Maybe clean off mold if there is any. Other than that, leave it. My 2 cents

I’d full agree with bill, if you try and restore it, you’ll take the “salty” away, but keep the beaten condition.  
 

As you mentioned, unless you give it to a kid to play soldier, it’s not going to really degrade; try and minimize how much you handle it, and it’ll be A-okay. 
 

IMO

 

CC

Gorgeous!  I wouldn't do a thing to it, beyond what you've done.

 

Quick critter sweep, and sit it on the shelf.

As Bill hinted at, I would not mess with the cover - at all.  Once you start jostling one of those loose, they look played-with.

Sounds good and thank you all. I have some styrofoam heads on order that I’m going to run a large dowel with wooden domed cap through to support and paint it in acrylic. Thinking of making a cotton muslin “beanie” to put inside the liner also. Thoughts?

I did a quick proof of concept mock up last night and think with some tweaking will work nicely.

$7 head, $3 for 2 bases, $3 for 1" balls with 3/8" hole and $1 3/8" dowel.

Ran dowel through head and fit pressed ball to end.  At this point I place a circle type liner upside down and sat the head on the webbing and pushed the dowel through until it hit the liner.  Laid the head on its side and pushed the dowel up another 1/16" to take pressure off of the webbing and marked it.  Cut dowel to fit head flush on base and secured with wood glue.

I'll ponder painting and cotton liner further.  The next one will incorporate a screw in the ball to allow fine adjustment or removal.

Let me know what you think.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It looks great, there a member on here who sell head displays, it might be cheaper also. There really nice wood ones. I think his name is bug me on here , but I could be wrong.

I also believe there is a topic on putting wooden bases on these foam melons already...

Yes, I read a few threads on heads vs candlesticks types but this one combines both 😉. Fully supported but not touching the webbing or utilizing the webbing as one determines appropriate.  
Like I said, this one is just a 5 minute throw together to see if I even liked the idea. 

 

I was told once to leave an old lid like this alone, and I didnt because It did not come with the liner, and a day latter

the liner went for sale and I got it, but I had already messed with the steel. I still feel bad I messed with it.

It was in worse shape than yours, but I learned from my mistake and agree with everyone who said do not do a thing to it.

Its awesome the way it is.

as said above - let alone - save the history!!