Original British WWII Rose Top London Metropolitan Police Bobby Helmet George VI

Description: This original WWII-era London Metropolitan Police Bobby Helmet is a rare and iconic piece of British history. The Metropolitan Police, founded in 1829 by then-Home Secretary Sir Robert Peel, is the oldest and largest police service in the United Kingdom. The helmet, often referred to as a "Bobby Helmet" after Peel, became standard issue for officers in the mid-19th century and remains a symbol of British law enforcement to this day. The Traditional Bobby helmet was named after Sir Robert Peel, who later became Prime Minister under Queen Victoria. This early version, known as a "Rose Top," features a blackened brass top fitting in the shape of a rose, hence the name. The front helmet plate proudly displays a King's Crown at the top, over a starburst containing a silver "G VI R" Royal Cypher for King George VI, who reigned from 1936 to 1952. Surrounding the cypher is a circle that reads "METROPOLITAN / POLICE," highlighting its official use by London's police force. This helmet, with its distinctive Rose Top design, was worn during the reign of King George VI, making it a significant artifact from the World War II period. The Metropolitan Police played a crucial role during the war, maintaining order during the Blitz, enforcing blackout regulations, and helping with the evacuation of civilians. The Rose Top design, with its distinctive high crown, was a prominent part of the uniform, offering protection as well as a recognizable presence on the streets of London. Additional Information: We've been told that this hat may be a New Zealand Police helmet. However, this helmet features rose top hardware, which is synonymous with British police helmets, traditionally used to enhance ventilation and provide structural integrity. This design feature was common in British police helmets to signify rank and is an iconic detail in historical British police uniforms. Additionally, our helmet has a 2-panel cover construction, unlike the 6-panel construction typical of New Zealand police helmets, further indicating its British origins. Ours also lacks any buttons marked with "NZP," and the color is a much darker navy, almost black, which differs from the lighter blue of the New Zealand helmets. For what it’s worth, the images may appear slightly different due to variations in display settings, so the color might shift depending on the screen you're viewing the listing on. Furthermore, our helmet lacks any maker’s marking on the inside of the cover or sweatband, both on the outer and inner sides. Condition: The helmet shows its age, with hardware exhibiting tarnishing and the leather components being dry, which would benefit from conditioning. The leather sweatband is complete, while the leather chin strap is frayed and shows signs of loss with one end not being attached. The leather trim around the visor is worn and exhibits some loss, and each side of the helmet is missing its eyelet grommets. General discoloration is present throughout the helmet, consistent with its age and use. Please refer to all photos for a detailed view of its condition. Measurements:Front Visor: Approximately 2 1/2 inches at its largest pointBack Visor: Approximately 2 3/4 inchesCrown Height: Approximately 7 inchesFrame Circumference: Approximately 24 3/4 inchesSweatband Circumference: Approximately 21 1/2 inches Please Note: This listing is for the helmet only. The stand shown in the photos is not included. This helmet is not just a piece of uniform but a symbol of the resilience and dedication of the London Metropolitan Police during one of the most challenging periods in British history. With its Rose Top design and George VI insignia, it is an excellent addition for collectors of police memorabilia, WWII artifacts, or those with a deep interest in British history. Good luck from Laurence & Sally of Baggage Battles and Storage Wars; currently roundthebend.tv

Price: 297 USD

Location: El Segundo, California

End Time: 2024-10-09T23:32:36.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD