Army Model 90 Steel Helmets

[Eric Doody]

The Model 90 helmet was adopted in 1930 and was manufactured with almost no changes until the end of the Second World War in 1945.

Note: The “90” designation (in “Model 90”) originates from the last two digits of the Japanese year that the helmet was adopted which, in this particular case, was 2590 or the 2590<SUP>th</SUP> year of the first reigning emperor of Japan. To calculate a Western year from a Japanese year that uses the first reigning emperor system, subtract 660 from the Japanese year. (The first emperor is believed to have reigned in 660 B.C.) Thus the Japanese year 2590 is the equivalent to 1930 (i.e., 2590 – 660 = 1930) in the Western calendar system.

Shells were made of chrome molybdenum steel and were manufactured in two sizes, small and large (the most common size).

Army shells were typically painted brown in color.

Here is a photo of a standard issue Army Model 90 helmet...

[Eric Doody]

Here is an Army Model 90 helmet with standard steel five-pointed star insignia (note whitewash around the outer edges of the insignia)...

[Eric Doody]

Here is an Army Model 90 helmet with (net and rare) variation brass five-pointed star insignia...

[Eric Doody]

A liner consisted of three liner pads, three liner cushion insert pads, a drawstring, and a liner band.

Each liner pad was equipped with two drawstring "fingers" and a single liner cushion insert pad "pocket" with tie strings.

The liner pads were typically stitched to the liner band, which consisted of two or more pieces of material sewn together in the shape of circle, at the twelve o'clock (front), four o'clock (right rear), and seven o'clock (left rear) positions.

A liner was attached to a shell in three locations, in the front of the shell by the prongs of the insignia and on the left and right sides of the shell by two liner retaining clips.

Here is a photo of an Army Model 90 helmet with early cowhide liner (drawstring is missing)...

[Eric Doody]

Here is an Army Model 90 helmet with early variation cowhide liner...

[Eric Doody]

Another Army Model 90 helmet with pigskin liner (most common type of liner)...

[Eric Doody]

Still another Army Model 90 helmet with variation pigskin liner...

[Eric Doody]

Here is an Army Model 90 helmet with canvas liner. The underside of the front liner pads on every Army-style canvas liner I have observed have been dated 1939.

[Eric Doody]

Here is a late war Army Model 90 helmet with ersatz liner...

[Eric Doody]

Here is a small Army-style liner (note "Sho" kanji punched into the smooth area of the liner band indicating liner is a small-sized liner) and shell (note "Sho" kanji painted on the rim indicating shell is a small-sized shell). Rim of shell is also stamped with "Sho" kanji. The kanji to the right of the "Sho" rim marking is the Japanese surname "Okajima."

[Eric Doody]

Here is a large Army-style liner (note "Dai" kanji punched into the smooth area of the liner band indicating liner is a large-sized liner) and Army-style shell (note "Dai" kanji painted on the rim indicating shell is a large-sized shell). Rim of shell is also stamped with "Dai" kanji.

[Eric Doody]

Here is a manufacturer (i.e., "Kawano") and date (note "Sho" kanji for "Showa" and the Arabic numbers "14" indicating that the liner was manufactured in "Showa 14" or 1939) stamp found on the underside of the front liner pad of an Army-style liner.

Note: Showa (or Bright Peace) was the reign name chosen by Emperor Hirohito who reigned from 1925 until 1989. To calculate a Western year from a Showa year, add the Showa year to 1925. Thus Showa 14 is the equivalent to 1939 (i.e., 1925 + 14 = 1939) in the Western calendar system.

[Eric Doody]

Here is the underside of the front liner pad of an Army-style liner pad with cushion insert pocket and cushion insert pad. The underside of each liner pad was equipped with cushion insert pad pocket that could hold one cushion insert pad. This liner was manufactured by "Matsu****a" and is dated "Sho[wa} 14" or 1939. The kanji to the right of the stamping is the Japanese surname "Kimura."

Note: The first * is the letter "s," the second * is the letter "h," the third * is the letter "i," and finally the fourth * is the letter "t."

[Eric Doody]

Here is a straw-filled cushion insert pad...

[Eric Doody]

A felt-filled cushion insert pad...