ink stamps inside helmet liner

[GHP]

Kenny,

I concur with Guy and Jareth.

Out of curiosity, didn't the Japanese professor mention anything to you about the poor quality of the kanji when he was consulted?

Eric

Yeah! As it is now, it reads "Dai Nichi Moku" [Big Sunny Tree]. What a difference a stroke makes.

Cheers,
Guy

[Kenny Suit]

The professor was in a bit of a hurry. Or at least he seemed to be. I got the impression that he didn't like looking at the helmet. Maybe it was embarassing to him.

Sort of like showing an SS helmet to an older German man. Not the done thing.

So he just told me briefly what he thought it said and that was that. No chit-chat. No small talk. And certainly no criticism of the poor handwriting!

Alright -- last question. Do you think the liner and straps are original? I have my doubts, but it's just a gut feel. I've never seen ink-stamps like the one on the liner, and so as I said above, I suspect it is a reproduction liner that was used by a reenactor or movie extra.

What are your thoughts?

-- Kenny

[Jareth]

Kenny, are there the typical showa/date stamp on the reverse of any of the other pads? Can you provide close up photo of chinstrap? The weave/pattern looks off.

[Eric Doody]

Kenny,

Since the "26 reproduction" stamping is on the underside of the front liner pad where the liner manufacturer's stamping and Showa date would typically be, and since the chin straps do not appear to be of the typical 16-ribbed woven cotton type, it is my opinion that the liner and chin straps are reproductions.

Eric

[Kenny Suit]

I think we've beat this dead horse enough, but before we finish, let me just post a photo of the chinstrap weave.

For us newbies, would you kindly explain what the "16 ribbed" chinstrap is?

Thanks,

-- Kenny

[Kenny Suit]

Sorry about the dark lighting on the previous photo -- it was the best way to highlight the weave.

Here's another in normal light.

-- Kenny

[Eric Doody]

Kenny,

Nice job on the photos.

Here are two photos of the front and backside of three (3) standard Army-style 16-ribbed woven chin straps.

Eric

[Eric Doody]

Here is photo 2 of 2...

[Kenny Suit]

Thanks for the photos, Eric. It's easy to see the difference between the reproduction on my helmet and the originals you have.

Let's close this thread down. I think all the evidence has added up to one conclusion -- my helmet is a restored shell with a reproduction liner and chinstraps.

Thanks to all for contributing.

-- Kenny