Japanese Civil Defense Helmet. Real or Fake?

**GIZMO8Z** · 06-08-2011, 05:20 AM

Hello All!

I recently purchased this helmet at the Reading WW2 weekend in Reading, PA. I bought it for $130 at the military flea market.

To be honest, I am very worried about whether or not this helmet is authentic. The seller couldn't tell me much about it, but he told me a rather convincing story about how he obtained it. He told me that he travels to Japan on a regular basis to pick up militaria from a collector there. He told me about the trip, Japanese culture, he spoke some Japanese...

A Japanese helmet was the only helmet from a major power missing from my modest WW2 collection. I took a blind leap of faith and purchased the helmet. What do you guys think? Did I make out okay?

The things that worry me are that it is supposed to be civil defense helmet yet it has a star like an infantry helmet. Also, the liner looks too good to be true.

Thanks for all your help!

**militarymania** · 06-08-2011, 06:34 AM

this a civil defense helmet,,,combat helmets have a six fingered leather liner not a head sock like this one,and the shape of the combat helmet is different too...more pointed as you go towards the top

**GIZMO8Z** · 06-08-2011, 06:36 AM

So it is authentic?

I am not able to find any markings inside the helmet. Also, the rivets are secure, but seem very loose.

**militarymania** · 06-08-2011, 06:37 AM

yes it is authentic too...

**GIZMO8Z** · 06-08-2011, 06:49 AM

Sorry to bug you! Would you say the $130 I paid for it was a fair price?

**militarymania** · 06-08-2011, 06:52 AM

i think you paid a fair price for it,,,

**GIZMO8Z** · 06-08-2011, 06:56 AM

I explained to the vendor that I am a high school history teacher and I was looking for a Japanese helmet to round off my collection and share with my students. He cut the price down from $150. Overall I'm very pleased with myself!

Thank you so much for your help!