In memory of my father who was in K-Einsatz, combat engagement, with the RAD in the Alps in 1945, of my grandfather who was with the IR 87 during campaign in France in 1940 and of my grand-uncle who served in the Gardegrenadierregiment Nr. 3 "Königin Elisabeth" and who was killed in action at Craonne, Chemin des Dames in France in 1917
Dear Geoff,
Thank you very much for your information. What a wonderful mannequin! I am right that there are Japanese signs on the neck protection? It's an inscription?
With best wishes
alter musketier
In memory of my father who was in K-Einsatz, combat engagement, with the RAD in the Alps in 1945, of my grandfather who was with the IR 87 during campaign in France in 1940 and of my grand-uncle who served in the Gardegrenadierregiment Nr. 3 "Königin Elisabeth" and who was killed in action at Craonne, Chemin des Dames in France in 1917
Geoff, can you post a photo with the full kanji? Just looking at what is visible in the above image, it does not look like 竹内 Takeuchi to me now. I can see the 内 uchi portion .... but can't make out the other. The kanji look silk-screened, so I doubt it is the leader's name; and since it has "*内" twice leads me to believe it is a shop name (did they do that????) or something similar.
Interesting ..... interesting indeed.
--Guy
D'OH!!!!
BRAINSTORM!
内 means "inner" -- so that the neck-protector is not put on upside-down!!!!! Just coincidence it is part of the Takeuchi name 竹内 [meaning "Within the Bamboo"]
That brings up a question I have had for a while...Why bother marking the flap unless it was because the outside made a difference to the wearer? as in one side of the material being protected by some type of fire retardant.Is there any evidence that the were fire retardant chemicals used in the manufacture of Civil Defense items? Regards,Geoff
Nice helmet and interesting information!
I have a similar one in my collection, I show it for comparison:
Japanese civil defense helmet
Cheers
Roberto
Geoff, I think there are fire retardant properties used and I would hazard a guess at asbestos fiber. When I saw the fire damage on my fire helmet I took a closer because it surprised me that they were small burns on a cloth cover that I would have expected it to have gone up in flames. It certainly has an asbestos feel to it.
Japanese civilian fire helmet
Nice helmet, a type I'm looking to add to my collection.
Steve.
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