Japanese Helmet Opinions

[cerick1450]

Hello
About 20 + years ago a friend that worked in an antique mall would call me any time a helmet came in for sale. At the time I was interested in German and US stuff. He called one day with this Japanese helmet that a guy brought in and wanted to sell. He said it had belonged to his (I think) Uncle that was in the Pacific and brought it back as a souvenir. I did not pay much for it, and have had it sitting on the shelf for years, untouched. How does it look? Original? It has a number and markings written on the inside padding that I have included. Also it appears to have a size mark on the rear brim. Thank you for the help.

[beretta1934]

Liner and shell are good. Please post a picture of the chin straps laid out flat and next to each other. Need to see this view and with the folded and sewn pattern at the ends to verify something. Also a closeup of the chinstrap material weave if possible. If there is any kind over overlapping joint on the chinstrap a closeup of that too. Sorry for all the requests - but my appraisal fees are priced right :-)

[cerick1450]

Thank you for the help. Here are a few more pictures. I will have to try to find the original purchase information on this helmet. I started writing every detail down when I bought an item, but I am not sure I have the records this far back. Anyway, here are the pictures, also does the liner indicate a Showa 16 manufacture date? Oh, by the way, you price for appraisal is most acceptable...Hee Hee...

[GHP]

.... does the liner indicate a Showa 16 manufacture date? Oh, by the way, you price for appraisal is most acceptable...Hee Hee...

Yes, S.16. And my fees are just as competitive as beretta's!

(^__^)


--Guy

[beretta1934]

Thanks for taking those so quickly. If Guy is competing for the appraisal then I'll lower my fees even more...

overall I think its a good piece. The only caveat is the chinstraps. They were added on at some point. Also, one has an overlap portion where materiel was added to make it full length and that is not the OEM way they come. However, given the great condition of the rest of the helmet I can't imagine the original Shows 16 date (1941) ones being so worn out that they needed replacement - just doesn't line up with the overall condition.
So, if you really wanted to determine post war/or late war chin strap add on, you would have to run a UV light over the sewn threads portion on them (including the folded ends). As Johnny Cochran would say "If it glow, then the jury must say NO! "...

Would like to have Jareth weigh in on the chinstraps before I send you my bill.

[cerick1450]

No Problem. As always, just put the bill on my tab.....
I checked the straps and helmet out with a black light nothing glows, stitching, etc.. All appears to be old..
Thank you for the help..

[cerick1450]

Is the mark at the rear interior of the rim, a size mark, or something else? Also is this a type 90 helmet? Sorry for all the questions. I am not familiar with all the details of Japanese ww2 helmets..
Thank you

[GHP]

Is the mark at the rear interior of the rim, a size mark, or something else

paint:

[viewed upside-down]
小
Shō/ko/chisai
Small

perferated mark

[viewed upside-down, I think]
From it's shape, it looks like a "SMALL" size mark as above.




--Guy

[cerick1450]

Thank you. Yes, the painted mark is what I was questioning. I also did not see the perforated Mark. Good eye...

[cerick1450]

I was just looking at the information I had on this helmet and the pictures, and I noticed that it has a S in a diamond mark on the underside of the rim. Is this a maker mark, and for whom?
Thank you
Here is a picture with the mark circled.

[RussellM]

The S in a diamond is for Kobe Seiko.

It is an Arsenal and Maker mark.

Regards

Russ

[Dennis J]

I am not sure about the chin straps one way or another.The helmet is a small size with nice marking,liner and paint,star etc....small size helmets are not that easy to find.All in all a very nice looking helmet.

Dennis J

[cerick1450]

Thank you all for the assistance.