can anyone I D this helmet please

[northern monkey]

Its always thrown me ,it is hard skinned but has very little padding ,except around the ears,and the cups over the ears are flexible rubber with cut outs at the bottom...and it is very very small..only just fitting my son and daughters young heads !

I have just noticed these markings.....a crown with A.M. underneath...then 22 0 1942 6 7/8

I have had a closer look (in daylight with a magnifying glass ) and belive I have the numbers wrong it's 22 C / 942 6 7/8" what does this relate to apart from 6 7/8" being a size ?

Thanks and sorry for the questions.....I have just emailed the collections dept at the imperial war museum to see if they can verify the helmet

Thanks again
Mick

[Richie B]

22C is an RAF stores code for flying clothing.

22C Flying Clothing

Unfortunately 22C 942 isn't on the list on the site

Another site - again without the relevant number.

RAF stores reference numbers 22C-series

[northern monkey]

Does this mean its a fake then ? it seems a very comprehensive list....is there anyone that somebody could recommend to verify the helmets originality and its details..im getting more intrigued by the minute,shame there arnt more details to go with it...if only our relics could talk...what stories they would tell...

[Richie B]

Why should it be a fake ?

"941-947 ???" - from my second link.

The RAF Museum might have the full list assuming that it is indeed an RAF stores reference.

[northern monkey]

ooops totally missed the second link and the missing item /blank space in the list....and i have since posted a couple of pics on another forum..and have been told its a reproduction ?? but that would mean that someone could be bothered to make a fake in the 70's (I have had it since about 1977 -78)...and as we all know all that happened in seventies England were lots of long strikes , and a single blazing hot summer,that everyone still bangs on about !!!


Mick

[northern monkey]

It also seems that the person on the other forum who wants to assure me its a reproduction....would very much like the reproduction for his collection ,for research and comparison only...and he offered a few $'s to cover my costs posting it to him....and before anyone asks I told him No...and i am also not going to name the forum or the knobhead that tried it on...whew I would have had to put his cheque in the bank along with the millions from the African prince and the refund money for the enlarger (it turned out to be a magnifying glass) or on the shelf with the rolex that i bought for ten quid............sorry but I wasnt born yesterday

Mick

[northern monkey]

well id like to say thank you to everyone on here that has helped by posting....I emailed both the imperial war museum and the R.A.F. museum at Hendon....both have confirmed this helmet to be an original type "c" glider pilots helmet...(as people rightly pointed out)...so please pat yourself on the back,for settling my problem


thanks

Mick

[Wagriff]

Just out of curiosity...why does it have an American size in it? If it's a British helmet, shouldn't the size be a British one? Or is this before Metric?

[northern monkey]

It is a British size........."The English Imperial measurements for hats is different to the American Imperial measurements for hats...much like our spellings of English words.........Hat and head sizing this site has a small chart , which shows the equivalent sizes...6 7/8 English = 7 American english

[jimpy]

Glad to see that it's been confirmed by RAF Hendon and the IWM Mick........Now put it safely on display AND DONT LET THE KIDS NEAR IT! LOL

Regards etc
Ian D

AKA: Jimpy