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Morning gents I added this early first pattern fiber, pulp Dispatch Rider helmet to my collection some time ago the helmet body and liner are spot on with the exception of the draw string running through the liner head bands which I think is a replacement.
IMO the helmet body was manufactured by the Sponge Rubber Co, as it appears to be unmarked this will require a little more research on my part the liner of course was manufactured by Backstay Standards and is in a size 7 3/4 and is dated to 1944 .
My concerns are really in regard to the painted MP flash on the helmet body which would appear to have been redone at least once in its service life as I am trying to discern weather the MP flash replaced the RP flash late war or early post war I can just about find no information and or period images of Canadian DR helmets painted in such a fashion
I have only ever seen one example similar to this DP helmet it is a 1942 dated Spalding and it resides in the collection of Roger Lucy and is shown on page 23 of Tin Lids he states the livery seems to date from the 50's but offers no sort of information to support his theory I have discussed this particular helmet with a few advanced collectors and it would seem that there is a division in thought as to when this type of flash would have been applied on a white painted helmet so any thoughts and or opinions would be appreciated as I collect Canadian WW II and post war alike it is still without a doubt a top shelf helmet in my collection just trying to discern what era it would have been used in.
Regards Mark
IMO the helmet body was manufactured by the Sponge Rubber Co, as it appears to be unmarked this will require a little more research on my part the liner of course was manufactured by Backstay Standards and is in a size 7 3/4 and is dated to 1944 .
My concerns are really in regard to the painted MP flash on the helmet body which would appear to have been redone at least once in its service life as I am trying to discern weather the MP flash replaced the RP flash late war or early post war I can just about find no information and or period images of Canadian DR helmets painted in such a fashion
I have only ever seen one example similar to this DP helmet it is a 1942 dated Spalding and it resides in the collection of Roger Lucy and is shown on page 23 of Tin Lids he states the livery seems to date from the 50's but offers no sort of information to support his theory I have discussed this particular helmet with a few advanced collectors and it would seem that there is a division in thought as to when this type of flash would have been applied on a white painted helmet so any thoughts and or opinions would be appreciated as I collect Canadian WW II and post war alike it is still without a doubt a top shelf helmet in my collection just trying to discern what era it would have been used in.
Regards Mark
