Help with ID of Japanese? German style Helmet shell

[cricket]

Can anybody help me with what I've got... appears to be made of aluminum or pot metal??

[blinky]

Yes, Japanese Civil Defense

[cricket]

Thanks for the quick reply, any idea what the Kanji means?

[GHP]

Thanks for the quick reply, any idea what the Kanji means?

Possible bank like the Yokohama Specie Bank? Literally, the kanji mean "True Gold"

正金 【しょうきん shōkin】 (n) specie; bullion; cash

"Specie" is an older English term that you might be familiar with if you read writings from the 18th century.


--Guy

[cricket]

I appreciate the help thanks.

[VPEP]

That is one of the coolest helmets I've seen. Thanks for sharing.

[Jareth]

Cast aluminum civilian defense helmet

[cricket]

Thanks all for the help and I'm glad you like it VPEP it is interesting. I had no idea the Japanese used "German style" helmets. Anybody know why they used this style vs the normal Japanese styled helmet as you would normally see for their CD personnel?

[Franco]

You can see footage on-line of this style of helmet being worn in the war with China.

[Lampwick]

You can see footage on-line of this style of helmet being worn in the war with China.

Yes, but worn by the Chinese. See the film 'Flowers of War' for great action scenes.

[Jareth]

Don't confuse this cast aluminum helmet with actual German M35s sold to Chinese ! Totally two different helmets!