daverpol

Hi Mervyn, I took the photo's from a Police Memrabilia collectors site where it was described as a Senior Officers helmet. There are no shots of the inside of the helmet. Looking at the description again it mentions the fittings being of white metal, a Senior Officers would have been silver wouldn't they? The style of helmet itself was never worn as an "everyday" helmet by Newastle Police. They originally wore the "Rose" top helmet & then changed to the "Ball" top. It is possible that the ceremonial helmet was produced for special occasions for use by Constables & Sergeants. I've attached photo's of the Victorian "Rose" top & later "Ball" top wich is shown with the black night fittings.

I'll have to get a decent camera & take some shots of my collection. Amongst it I have the "Zebra" cap you mention. Before the striped band was introduced they wore an even larger cap badge which also doubled as the helmet plate.

On a further note, when the British Army discontinued the use of the Blue Cloth Home Servce Helmet a lot of them were bought by various Police Forces around the country & adapted for their own use.

That's correct Nick. The helmet shown is a senior officers ceremonial helmet of the Newcastle-upon-Tyne City Police & dates from the 1930's. Prior to that date the helmet plate was a slightly larger version. Mervyn, that's interesting news about the dissapearence of the chains, I wondered where they all went!

Hi Mervyn, Thanks for the welcome. I've been trying ebay without any luck for a while now. The white metal chains I've seen so far must be popular as I've been outbid every time. As for the cruciform spike base, the only version I've seen is the brass military version. I suppose I can only hope that someone may have a damaged Militia/Volunteer helmet that I could salvage the white metal fittings from. Dave.

Can anyone please help? I'm trying to locate a white metal chin chain & cruciform spike base to restore a ceremonial police helmet. The photo's below will show what I'm looking for. Any help & advice will be gratefully received. Thanks, Dave.