Never seen Japanese navy helmet!

[Paul V]

I was at OVMS show this weekend and this helmet walked in
and owner took out of bag!

Guys uncle was in navy LST and said this helmet came from a Japanese naval base!

I have never seen one like it!

Heavy plate for sure! Got some pics for collectors and want to see what others think!

One other Japanese helmet I will show came into the show also!

PVON

[Paul V]

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[Paul V]

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[Paul V]

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[Paul V]

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Only mark I saw on helmet!

[gunto]

Seen before.Theres is one on ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WW2-JAPANESE...item2c901d7ff0

[Ron P]

Supposedly Shin'yō-class suicide motorboat operators helmet. Rather rare I would say.

[Lampwick]

I would have thought that a suicide boat coxswain wouldn't really need a helmet. It wouldn't do him much good on impact.

[Ron P]

I would have thought that a suicide boat coxswain wouldn't really need a helmet. It wouldn't do him much good on impact.

Might help him get to the target in one piece though.

[Striking 9th]

Nobody can say what these helmets intended purpose was with 100% certainty.

[Jareth]

My opinion is these were for ship board exposed gunners. Is the exterior color green? Was it repainted? The interior blue gray is the standard color normally on both interior& exterior. Can you post a close up of anchor please?

[Lampwick]

Might help him get to the target in one piece though.

True dat.

[Ryukyutunnelrat]

The purpose of these helmets were all speculation and people were paying high dollars for them few years ago. Which was crazy! Are these Japanese WWII, sure, but until a photo of one in use is found, no one will know for sure their intended purpose. I Can't see a gunner on a ship with such a heavy helmet on looking up and across the sky for targets without their necks giving out. The suicide boat theory is crazy...why would someone need a steel helmet if they are planning to strike a ship and take their own life. Just my two cents

David.

[gunto]

My opinion is these were for ship board exposed gunners.

Me too!