jocktamson

I couldn't agree more Stuart. Its nice to find a bunch of like minded people, willing to share their knowledge and help other collectors. Sharing photos of collections, experiences and stories with others is what its all about.

Hi William, I wouldn't disagree that its an old cover, how old...who can say, it does have a bit wear and as you say, they seem to be quite hard to come by, well older ones do anyway, i am happy enough and now consider the helmet a good find, I looked for an FSH for a few years before making at the time, a rather impulse buy on eBay with this helmet, but things have gone my way and the cover and neck cover are just an added bonus. I was thinking about you recounting the story of seeing half a dozen or so covers in the 1980s and it sparks memories of things i should have bought in the 1970s and 80s, but as with everyone, you think another will turn up , and as we all know it very rarely does. Everything considered i've been fortunate it seems, especially after joining the forums and realising the amount of pitfalls regarding Foreign Service Helmets. So thanks to everyone who participated in the discussion, to yourself for the photos and opinions and Stuart for taking time to educate me further. It definitely has sparked an interest in me to buy another ( should the opportunity arise). Cheers. Jock

LOL.... BTW Peter I am the person who contacted you last week asking to buy one of those books that no ones ever written!

I have to say its always been my belief that it was a cover to keep the tunic clean when shouldering the rifle, but had no real proof, as i have never come across a tunic with one attached. Certainly censlenov's explanation seems plausible apart from its on the left shoulder and there doesn't seem to be any padding in this cover to absorb any recoil, and yes i think your right, its a double barrel.....Rifle Volunteers!! Thanks all for the added info

Many thanks for the examples William, I am getting a fast track education in the complexities of Foreign Service Helmets, I can see now why Peter Suciu and Stuart collaborated in producing a book about it . The first cover does look very similar to this one. and in a similar condition. Definitely possible they came from the same batch William... I think ive got that book somewhere Stuart, will dig it out and have a look for comparison. Anyone have any thoughts on the stitching on mine, does it look as if its been re-stitched?

Thanks Chris, never seen this before, what was throwing me was its on his left shoulder, he must be left handed.

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Thanks for the input William, Stuart and I discussed the cover and neck cover in our correspondence, While i am by no means an expert on elastic, i mentioned to Stuart I used to collect WW1 Aviation Militaria and still have in my possession several pairs of goggles from that period all but one have retained their elasticity albiet none are in the condition that the elastic on this helmet cover is in...l am warming to Stuarts suggestion its been replaced at some point, although looking at the stitching, I can see no break in the original thread where it might have been replaced.. Initially I put the helmet under a blacklight to see the covers were not made of modern materials and certainly nothing glows under the blacklight...I know that's not a definitive test, but at least its not made of polyester!... I'll try and get some close ups of the point where the elastic joins the neck piece and hopefully get some more opinions on it then. Please do post any photos you can find of anything, when it comes to foreign service helmets, i am totally out of my depth, it appears to be a minefield and buying one from photographs on eBay certainly made my heart miss a beat. Stuarts been a fountain of knowledge and his enthusiasm for these helmets is certainly infectious... hes started me thinking maybe just one more foreign service helmet for my collection wouldnt go amiss.... cheers all. Jock

Jock is fine, Ive been called a lot worse Simon... Good spot, yes the head is one i got in a deal from Hogspear many moons ago, in fact i think I was amongst his first buyers on eBay...its a repro head cast in solid resin, i think one of his friends makes them. Makes a good display though. The helmet I bought from another eBay seller, contacted Stuart for his opinion on it and he thought it might be good to post on the forum and see what others thought about it. I am a long time collector 30 odd years + .... i wish forums like these were around when i started, they are a wealth of knowledge for beginners. thanks for the welcome, I hope to become a regular visitor. Jocktamson or Jock if you prefer.

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