Article about: Got this SFP ( supplementary fire parties ) marked CPH which in it's own right is quite nice with for me a new type of chin strap that I have'nt seen before on these helmets, but I think I'v
Was going through some old training films posted online and noticed this same helmet being worn by some of those filmed in the below linked film. If you are short on time, skip to 01:38 for the helmet's first appearance and subsequently, there are several other scenes where the helmets are worn.
I have certainly been told of discoveries of stacks of these helmets, left over from the war, rotting and rusty, still bundled together with wire though the holes for ease of handling. Mind you I have yet to see a picture of this, so there is some cause for doubt. Then again, all this was done on the cheap - no chinstrap and so on - so maybe a actual box would have been more expensive and resource-hungry than a piece of wire. Who knows (well, I know who might but he's not telling).
I can vouch for the accuracy of this. As a kid, I picked up just such a batch, sans liner & chinstrap, wired together, front and rear.
It took me decades to finally get rid of the buggers, virtually giving them away about 5-10 years ago (still wired together, you’ll be pleased to know). I do not recall the exact number of helmets in the stack, but I would say it was less than ten (possibly more like half a dozen).
Naturally, and now regrettably, I have no photographic evidence for this...
A simple loop of wire would be far more practical and durable than a cardboard box, when one considers the weight of a stack of these things (it would require some pretty stout, industrial-strength cardboard, at a time when paper was in short supply).
I’d say there was a reasonable chance the dealer still has them (!). I shall try to find out...
My understanding of the holes at the front and rear of the CPH was for transportation. Wack an sticker on them and Bobs your uncle.
Guessing too that it would have been ten or twelve together.
I would say about £5 due to lack of original paint and liner, that is if any one wants it as they are not rare. Somebody may buy it and add something special to it to make it seem more valuable.
Street party leader, one black band on white helmet, which is all very nice, but it was the 12/1940 date that grabbed me.
The next nice find was wartime papers stuck up under the sweat band to make it a bit smaller. Even a picture of a rescue helmeted man.
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