Navy Paratrooper Helmet

[Eric Doody]

I took the following photos of a Japanese Navy paratrooper helmet that was brought into the last Forks of the Delaware Historical Arms Society Show that was held in Allentown, PA in February.

The helmet is from the Jareth Holub collection and was brought to the show for "show and tell."

I would like to thank Jareth for allowing me to photograph the helmet and for posting the photos of his helmet on the forum.

[Eric Doody]

Photo 2...

[Eric Doody]

Photo 3...

[Eric Doody]

Photo 4...

[Eric Doody]

Photo 5...

Note Army-style liner with the kanji for small punched into the smooth area of the rear liner band. Navy paratrooper helmets were typically equipped with Army-style liners.

[Eric Doody]

Photo 6...

The white painted kanji on the inside rim translates to (number) 540 (para)trooper when read from right to left.

[Eric Doody]

Photo 7...

Note markings on underside of front liner pad which indicate that the liner was manufactured in 1941.

[Eric Doody]

Photo 8...

Here is another shot of the Army-style liner. Note "loop" in liner band where a chin strap split ring would normally attach to an Army-style steel shell.

[Eric Doody]

Photo 9...

Here is a close-up of four Arabic numerals (looks like the numbers 1532 when read from left to right) that are stamped into the rear inside rim of the shell.

[Eric Doody]

Photo 10...

Here is a shot of the inside of the helmet. Note how the "Y-straps" are attached to the shell.

[Eric Doody]

Photo 11...

Here is another shot of the inside of the helmet.

[Eric Doody]

And finally photo 12...

Here is a close-up of the ends of the "Y-straps."

[John Egger]

Para Helmet

Eric,
Just took a quick check of my navy para helmet. As far the helmet itself, it's very close to the one shown. The size is small & maked on the Army liner but the date stamp is not visible (worn away). The exterior color is a "pea green" over the original brown. Two of the liner pads have alot of kanji on them and may indicate the helmet has been reissued. There is a name & number on one pad. A name on the other pad and a number painted on the interior front brim and two more kanji painted over the number.
There is a number stamped into the interior rear brim "1512".
John