Odd Japanese Helmet

[Paul Wellnitz]

Hello and greetings, I have not been on the site in a long time. i just ran into this helmet in Washington State and was wondering if anyone has any clue if this is Civilian or something else. Not a type 90...but I found it interested due to the hand painted writing and the number 131. There seems to be red staining on the script and chin strap. Thank you for any feed back and I really appreciate the amount of information that each member provides...

[Nick Komiya]

It is civilian. Likely worn by a factory worker serving as maintenance man.

[Paul Wellnitz]

Thank you very much Mr. Komiya for your information, much appreciated. So I would guess the star was added post war? Like others I have seen on these boards. I wonder what the number represents...

[Nick Komiya]

It was forbidden but did happen often during the war. See these

The Chrysanthemum, the Rising Sun and the Star
The Evolution of the Japanese Army Steel Helmet (1918-1945) Revised and Expanded Version

[Paul Wellnitz]

Thank you Mr. Komiya. I read through your amazing articles on the evolution of the Japanese Helmet and must have missed that part. I guess the old saying read and then reread...lol! Would the script then be the owners name? I am still at a loss for the script and number 131. It does appear to have blood on the chin strap and staining on the script as well. Thank you so much for your help.

[Nick Komiya]

Any company will number their helmets for their inventory list and the person responsible for that specific number will be registered as well. Without such markings, if a helmet disappears, there is no means to track down who's responsible. It's a Company asset number. I already gave you my opinion on the coding in white.

[Paul Wellnitz]

Thank you very much, now I understand, very interesting. I really do appreciate your help Mr. Komiya. Best Regards, Paul.