Why this lust for naval helmets?

[keith]

I see these astronimical prices for the naval helmets on ebay, and I've read discussions here lusting for them.
Is it because there are less of them? Did every Japanese naval man get issued a helmet, even if they were assigned to ship duty, or did only the Special Naval Landing forces get them?
It would seem, as large as the Japanese navy was, that there would be a lot of naval helmets around, even factoring in how much Japanese ship tonnage was sank during the war.

[Jareth]

Navy badged helmets in complete, unmessed with condition are rare. You'll find the painted stencil anchor helmets more frequently. I'll put it to you this way, at any major militaria/gun show you'll see hundreds of German helmets but only a few Japanese helmets & those are usually army or civilian defense. In the collecting world of japanese militaria most things navy are more sort after than army & will command higher prices. Yes, there are less navy helmets surviving than army. One of the rarest navy helmets is an all gray, shipboard navy helmet. Very few survived that weren't field repainted for land use & the remainder are likely on the bottom of the ocean.

[keith]

Navy badged helmets in complete, unmessed with condition are rare. You'll find the painted stencil anchor helmets more frequently. I'll put it to you this way, at any major militaria/gun show you'll see hundreds of German helmets but only a few Japanese helmets & those are usually army or civilian defense. In the collecting world of japanese militaria most things navy are more sort after than army & will command higher prices. Yes, there are less navy helmets surviving than army. One of the rarest navy helmets is an all gray, shipboard navy helmet. Very few survived that weren't field repainted for land use & the remainder are likely on the bottom of the ocean.

That makes sense. Are the shells the same IE if you had a rusted out hulk of a shell could you tell if it was Army or Navy>
Were the Special Naval Landing Force helmet marked any different than a helmet provided for a sailor confined to ship duty?

[Banzi64]

That makes sense. Are the shells the same IE if you had a rusted out hulk of a shell could you tell if it was Army or Navy>
Were the Special Naval Landing Force helmet marked any different than a helmet provided for a sailor confined to ship duty?

Well if it is a rusted piece with no paint it might be impossible, but if the helmet is a small size you can be sure it is an army. I think Jareth has the only small navy helmet around. The maker might give you an idea if it might be a navy shell lets see what Jareth has to say about that. The SNLF helmets were no different than shipboard in markings.

[Military Trader]

The other day a "picker" of sorts told me "I picked up a helmet with an anchor on it at a garage sale for $20 if you want it" I was very interested and yes it was a Japanese naval helmet with a metal emblem but it is in pretty poor condition with no liner. Bummer, but I did take it for the 20.

[Steve Flanagan]

Naval helmet

Heck I just posted mine on the thread, only owned it a few hours and got two guys lined up to buy it by PM, will be awhile, Im enjoying it!

[Striking 9th]

Heck I just posted mine on the thread, only owned it a few hours and got two guys lined up to buy it by PM, will be awhile, Im enjoying it!

Ohhhhh, this is how David knew. Well Steve remember who asked first. Seriously Steve great pick up. Enjoy it.
Scott