Plasfort helmet

Front view of a helmet showing the bowl shape. Side view of a helmet showing the bowl shape. Rear view of a helmet showing the bowl shape. Rear view of a helmet showing the bowl shape. Top view of a helmet showing the rivets. Close view of a helmet showing the material. Close view of a helmet showing the top rivet. Underside view of a helmet showing the fitting mechanism. Close view of a helmet showing the moulded inscription.
Front view of a helmet showing the bowl shape. Side view of a helmet showing the bowl shape. Rear view of a helmet showing the bowl shape. Rear view of a helmet showing the bowl shape. Top view of a helmet showing the rivets. Close view of a helmet showing the material. Close view of a helmet showing the top rivet. Underside view of a helmet showing the fitting mechanism. Close view of a helmet showing the moulded inscription.

Description

A bowl-shaped helmet, similar in shape to the MKII steel helmet used extensively by the British military throughout the Second World War. Commercially produced for the civilian market, this compression moulded phenol formaldehyde helmet has a raised moulded logo on the underside of the rim. It is fitted with a coated-textile, adjustable liner that is riveted in place with a leather chinstrap. These helmets were bought by private individuals, used in ammunition factories, and increasingly worn by civil defence personnel as steel helmets became more scarce after 1940. It cannot be certain how effective the helmets were but it is thought that moral was boosted when wearing one.
Designers & Manufacturers
Designer (Person)
Manufacturer

Inscriptions

moulded: "REGD PLASFORT PAT APPLIED FOR" (under rim)
printed: "SIZE 4" (disc under rivet)

Object number

AIBDC : 008192

Date

1940 - 1945 (circa)

Country

Material

plastic
bakelite - generic term body - possibly
PF
phenol formaldehyde
leather chinstrap
metal strap fastener and rivets
textile liner and size adjustment cord
rubber padding
Dimensions
Width
285mm
Height
110mm
Depth
300mm

Colour