Great Britain Don R helmet WWII

[Jerry B]

A Helmets Crash Despatch Rider HSDR economy version made from compressed rubber and fibre and not a common survivor, the first version seems to have survived more often. Both types are seen in old photographs and were also said to have been used as early glider and para training helmets.

The example is marked as being made by Empire which were the only maker I can find for these. They are not dated but the other example I can find has a WD arrow for 1941, this one has no surviving arrow mark that I have so far been able to find.

The red stripe is thought to be MP markings.

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[Mervyn Mitton]

Jerry - great photos. Anything marked Empire was made in Hong Kong. Mervyn

[Jerry B]

Jerry - great photos. Anything marked Empire was made in Hong Kong. Mervyn

Thanks Mervyn. Interesting what you post regarding Empire as I assume that is the makers name rather than relating to place of manufacture, and that would be an important clue in regards to these helmets. I have only seen one other of this type that still exists -though obviously there could be lots I have not seen and well actually two but the 2nd one had the wrong liner in it, post war civilian type- and the other one has the same type of liner marked Empire with the size and Patent Applied for marking, the latter is something I would expect to see on items from the Sates.

[Jerry B]

A few more new pics taken today.

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[Tony]

Jerry, do they always have the bootlace holding the liner in place or is that particular to this manufacturer?

Tony

[Jerry B]

Jerry, do they always have the bootlace holding the liner in place or is that particular to this manufacturer?

Tony

For this pattern I think there is only one maker and I have only seen one other of this type that still had its original liner in place and another one with a replaced post war liner in it. Perhaps at the time other ways were used but for these they all seem to have a string holding the liner in place. Both of the early patterns have laces/strings holding the liner in.

Here is the other type of early compressed material/pulp DR helmet which also has a string/lace holding the liner in place, the later steel DR helmet has the liner riveted in place.

Edited November 5, 2014 by Jerry B