A few months ago, I found a Japanese helmet that had been converted for use by the Thai police. The chinstrap loops had been removed and the shell had several holes added to the body in order to attach a US style liner system.
I know that restoration is taboo with some collectors, so if you are offended please do not read past this point.
It sat on the shelf for awhile and I decided to restore it to the original condition, or as close as I could approximate. I removed the liner that was remaining (not much) and removed the three layers of tan and red paint. The paint was flaking off in large chips, so it was not possible to save the Thai paint.
I have also welded up the additional holes and polished off the welds. My next step is to manufacture some chinstrap loops and install them with the proper rivets and install a replica liner.
I noticed that on the inside of the shell in the very top there is a three digit number stamped in Arabic numbers. Is this common with Japanese helmets? There is what also appears to be a Kanji stamp in the rear of the skirt of the helmet. Is this the makers mark?
I know that restoration is taboo with some collectors, so if you are offended please do not read past this point.
It sat on the shelf for awhile and I decided to restore it to the original condition, or as close as I could approximate. I removed the liner that was remaining (not much) and removed the three layers of tan and red paint. The paint was flaking off in large chips, so it was not possible to save the Thai paint.
I have also welded up the additional holes and polished off the welds. My next step is to manufacture some chinstrap loops and install them with the proper rivets and install a replica liner.
I noticed that on the inside of the shell in the very top there is a three digit number stamped in Arabic numbers. Is this common with Japanese helmets? There is what also appears to be a Kanji stamp in the rear of the skirt of the helmet. Is this the makers mark?
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