RARE Early (Pre-WW1) flying helmet.

 

From a very old collection, this extremely rare early flying helmet features a segmented hard leather shell, with a glove soft leather liner, cross straps over the ears and heavily padded fabric bumpers on the front, rear and extending down the side of each cheek.  Padding is heaviest and widest to the front, for protection of the face and forehead in any kind of frontal impact such as hitting the cockpit combing. The lower cheek sections, which probably had a chin strap attached, are missing. Previous owner believed it to be Italian,  but I have been unable to verify this, although it definitely resembles similar early flying helmets used by pioneer European aviators. Though fragile in places, the leather is solid and the helmet is in remarkably good condition for being well over 100 years old.

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SOLD

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Luftwaffe LKpN101 Netzkopfhaube mesh flying helmet with all communications and short cord with plug.

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Lovely used example of the net/mesh summer flying helmet most favoured by fighter pilots with the Luftwaffe. This is the first type, with provision only for the double strap oxygen mask (studs on each cheek). Brown cotton mesh is perfect - no holes or snags. Leather is excellent, lightly scuffed on the outside of the ear cups but with a little dressing would come up beautifully. Metal fittings have some oxidation. One snap fastener has been removed from neck strap which was a standard and common practice. Helmet is fitted with receivers, including the small celluloid noise attenuators in place (though one is cracked/split). Includes wiring, throat microphones and short cord with 4-point plug. Great label - appears to be a size 56. Definitely above average condition and nice examples are getting harder to find.

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$485  / £380 / €440  email to secure this item

 

Good used Luftwaffe Battle of Britain period LKpS101 summer flying helmet with throat mics.

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A true combat veteran in very good used and slightly grubby condition,  but complete except for the hardened and cracked radio cord and missing plug. Helmet itself is a nice early example, with plated metal fittings and label giving manufacturer's name in full (3 letter codes were substituted in 1941). No damage to helmet or throat microphones, and communications gear complete including celluloid noise attenuators fitted over receivers. Leather eaxcellent - earphone covers slightly scuffed but would easily clean up with dressing. Cloth and lining have no damage or worn spots, just slightly grubby from use. Long cord is missing plug and rubber coating has hardened and cracked. Of interest is that the neck strap has both snap fasteners intact - quite unusual as one was invariably removed after fitting. Overall a decent displayable helmet with some stories to tell!

 

$375 / £295 / €340   email to secure this item

RAF Type C helmet (second type for internal wiring) with painted ID and named inside to NZ airman.

 

Great second pattern Type C flying helmet, intended for the internal wiring (but no wiring or receivers present). Good leather and fairly clean inside with light use, soft pliable rubber ear cups. Painted to front in bright yellow aircraft paint is 155 DON. Inside is neatly hand inked a NZ serial number and the name "Dale." Possible research project? Very nice helmet which deserves to have a wiring loom and receivers installed.

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$300 / £230  / €270  email to secure this item

RAF Type C Flying helmet of the scarce first type together with a Type E* oxygen mask, fully wired and both in perfect, unissued condition.

 

This is definitely one for the connoisseur of quality headgear! Sold complete, rather than breaking it into its component parts. Both helmet and mask are in unissued condition, rarely found these days. The helmet is in lovely condition, the leather, chamois lining, rubber and all fittings complete and in perfect condition except for loss of paint to the press studs. It is the first style issued, with fore-and-aft goggles straps in opposite directions, 2 studs for affixing the mask, as well as the leather chin strap and Bennett buckle fastening. It also has a woven label inside the crown as well as a crisp incised stamp with the A-crown-M mark and size 1. Though the smallest size issued, it fits a male feature display head well and carries the mask perfectly, without crushing the tube under the chin. The mask is perfect (and guaranteed 100% genuine original - NOT a reproduction). The rubber has no damage and is as flexible as the day it came out of the factory. Mask is fitted with a very scarce Type 28 microphone assembly including a full length wiring loom, receivers and plug. It is also fitted with the correct narrow breathing tube and connector. The tube has minor crazing in the folds but is strong and fully pliable. Altogether this is a set that would be extremely difficult to upgrade.

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$1,750 / £1,350 / €1,570  email to secure this item

RAF Type A tropical cork flying helmet named to a South African Air Force pilot.

 

Another first for me! This is the first Type A flying helmet I have ever come across that actually shows use. Most appear to come from stores unworn (suggesting they were rarely if ever used). Of course we have seen photos of them in use but "used" examples seldom seem to show up. This one is well used, though still in very good condition, and is named to a South African pilot. The cloth covers over the eyelets appear to have been removed a long time ago, and I do recall seeing photographs of them being worn this way, (the "flaps" being of no use in the old DH9 and similar aircraft used in the Middle East and India). In addition to being named to "King H.J." serial number 48135 the helmet came with a small SAAF collar dog which may have been attached to the front at one time, as there are two small holes the correct distance apart in the pugaree. The badge is included in the sale and I will leave it to the new owner to decide whether to replace it. Helmet retains its small strap for retaining the goggles inside at the back and is complete. A lovely example with lots of character and plenty of scope for research.

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$650 / £500 / €585  email to secure this item

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AAF Type A-11 flying helmet size Medium by Fox Chase Knitting Mills.

 

Nice example of a used - but not abuse - A-11 flying helmet manufactured by Fox Chase Knitting Mills, one of the least often encountered labels in my experience. Leather is excellent, chamois lining is a little grubby from wear but there is no damage. Has several names written inside and then inked out. The small U-shaped lock on the chin strap buckle is absent but could easily be replaced and pilots almost never buckled their helmets anyway. Nice decal to side is 90% complete, which is unusual - these "water slide" decals almost always wore away. Size medium which makes it the perfect size for display on a standard male feature head. No receivers or wiring fitted. 

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$150 / £122 / €126  email to secure this item

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RAF internally wired (second pattern) Type D summer flying helmet.

 

A beautiful example of the dessert issue summer flying helmet, fully wired with correct Type 32 receivers, cord and plug. Tan cotton shell with satin lining, chamois internal donuts and elastic chin strap. Good rubber ear cups. Shows very light use and no wear. Size 2 (Medium). These helmets replaced the Type A cork "pith" helmets, officially for wear east of Malta, though they were used more extensively and were also popular with US aviators when they could get hold of one.

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$460 / £380 / €415   email to secure this item

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Scarce 1920s US Navy intermediate / lightweight flying helmet.

 

This is a scarce early US Navy issue intermediate weight flying helmet, made from super high quality glove leather lined with chamois. Though the helmet is sadly not in pristine condition, the leather is still soft and pliable and actually displays well. The surface of the leather has dried out and rubbed from being folded and perhaps improperly stored, but it does not appear to be rotted or weak and the wear is to the surface. t is most noticeable on the centerline where it was folded, around the edge and the rear panel at the nape. The snaps for the goggle straps have partially pulled through but remain secure. The chamois lining has separated at the crown on the inside. However, the leather is strong and the helmet displays well. It is of the unusual pattern with the extremely long "lappi" style chin strap and buckle.  The helmet is well marked "USN" with a size tag that reads "7" and is named in two places to "Cox." A seldom seen helmet that would certainly fill a gap in most collections until a better replacement can be found. Priced according to its condition but a very scarce helmet nonetheless.

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$165 /  £138 / €148  email to secure this item

Excellent Extra large AAF A-9 Flying Helmet with correct pressed leather earcups and fittings for oxygen mask.

 

Superb example of the AAF A-9 flying helmet, standard issue when war broke out and used until replaced by the A-11 in late 1943. This unlined OD cotton helmet is in top condition showing almost no wear  just light soiling, mostly from storage. It is fitted with correct pressed leather ear cups and webbing strips  with snaps for an A-10A or A-14 mask, as well as hooks for the A-9 and A-10 Standard masks. Nice embroidered label. Small white mark on top (which may clean off easily) and light oxidation around snaps. Once common, decent examples are now getting harder to find, especially in this size.

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$140 / £115  / €128   email to secure this item

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Variation of the AAF A-11 Flying Helmet in XL size with ANB-H-1A receivers and unusual wiring loom.

 

Perhaps an experimental or test model of the A-11 flying helmet, size Extra Large, fitted with ANB-H-1A receivers and an unusual combination wiring loom with connections for a mask or throat microphone, and a twin prong radio connector. If this is post-war, then it is very early post-war, because once the USAF was formed, AAF nomenclature was blacked out and overprinted with USAF - this helmet retains its AAF insignia to the side! It's actually a lovely example of an A-11 helmet, in very good condition. Nice early model (3 snaps per side for oxygen mask). Perhaps for early jet use?

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$225 / £185  / €205  email to secure this item

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Great War French Roold aviator's safety helmet in good condition and a large size.

 

Produced for and sold in the Roold Department store in Paris, this helmet became ubiquitous in the Great War and was used by all the warring nations. It was standard issue for French aviators but also found its way into Royal Flying Corps inventory and was also used by German flyers, since at one time or another, almost all armies were stationed in or around Paris. This example shows use but is in remarkable condition for its age. The oilcloth covered cork is nicely darkened from engine oil  but retains its shape well;l. The brass "wheel" inserts in the ear flaps appear to have been removed, perhaps to facilitate better communications? There are two holes purposely cut into the side skirts, perhaps to toe a scarf or even an early oxygen mask? The helmet retains its quilted lining and inner elastic strap (no longer stretchy) as well as its original chin strap button. A very large size 59. 

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$950 / £780  / €855  email to secure this item

AAF Type A-11 flying helmet fitted with Type A-1 sun visor.

 

A very scarce modification of the A-11 flying helmet, fitted with snaps mounted in the hard ribber ear cup surrounds to mount the Type A-1 Sun Visor, which is included. I have occasionally run across the visors, and even more rarely found helmets modified to fit the visor, but this is a complete rig. The A-11 helmet is in excellent condition, though it would definitely benefit from a little leather dressing; interior is very clean, size is Large, snd it has correct ANB-H-1 receivers fitted, but lacks the wiring loom. The visor is in similar condition, Both show light use. 

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$325 / £268 / €295  email to secure this item

Imperial Japanese Army Air Force flying helmet.

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A displayable example of the reddish brown leather flying helmet worn by Japanese Army Air Force aviators. The leather is in good condition, if a little dry, but the interior fur lining has moulted. The leather star has been removed from the front. The rear tightening strap appears complete (does;t look like its been cut) but seems short? It may be snagged inside between the outer leather and the lining. There is no damage to the helmet and the leather is good, but I would describe it as fair to good condition based on these flaws, however  it will display fine as is or could be restored, and is priced accordingly. 

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$165 / £135 / €148  email to secure this item

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WWII US Navy / USMC model NAF1092W flying helmet.

 

A good example of the winter version of this standard issue US Navy / Marine Corps flight helmet from the mid-1930s throughout WWII. This example has never had the pressed receiver cups fitted and is in very good condition, barring a little surface wear to the polyacrylate coating - however the skin is as soft and pliable as the day it was made. Includes the fleece lined chin cup -often missing. While not uncommon, the 1092W (the W stands for "winter") is the least common version of the 1092 series of helmets. No size tag but it is a large size and has a good nomenclature label.

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$135 / £110 / €121 email to secure this item

Scarce AAF Type AN-H-16 Winter Flying Helmet.

 

By far the most difficult of the WWII AAF flight helmets to find, largely because it was not produced in anywhere near the same quantities as the A-11 intermediate and AN-H-15 summer versions. The US Navy version of this helmet is more common (AN6540 series) but AAF labeled examples are very scarce. This example is in very good condition, and appears to have been issued and worn but quite gently. The shearling is nice and soft with very little evidence of the usual surface cracking to the polyacrylate coating. The rear goggle strap studs show oxidation and partial separation, as is the case almost without exception, but they are still present and still attached to the shearling, which is unusual. I suggest not closing the straps down to preserve that. There is one small surface nick beneath and behind the right hand earcup, but it shows no signs of worsening. Great woven spec. label shows nomenclature and AAF property. There is a nice white AAF ink stamp to the top as well. Overall a very decent and displayable example of a scarce helmet and in a large size.

 

$300 / £248 / €270  email to secure this item

1920s - 30s US civilian flying / motoring helmet.

 

Very high quality black leather helmet of pinwheel construction with 3 grommets to each side for hearing, neatly edged in black fabric with a black flannel / blanket lining. The helmet fastens iunder the chin with a press stud / snap marked US Fastener Co. with a choice of two positions. Smallish size so possibly for a woman or child and could have been worn for flying, driving or motorcycling. Nice helmet would make a great prop or inexpensive civlian aviatior display.

 

$65  / £55  / €58  email to secure this item

1920s - 30s style flying or motoring helmet with European styling.

 

Most likely a recent vintage copy of a WWI /1920s style German / European type flying helmet. ade from glve soft "Napa" leather (and marked as such on the earflap studs) with a blue fleece lining. There is no chin strap and as far as I can see, never was. Also no goggle tab. Very small size - probably for a woman or child. This vintage retro look was popular in Europe in the 1980s and 90s and thes ehelmets were sold in many colours of leather. This example is in chestnut brown leather. A couple of slight dark spots (oil or grease stains perhaps) but otherwise new condition. Will work for a display or re-enactor with a small head!

 

$50  / £42  / €45  email to secure this item

WWII Model M33 Italian steel helmet

 

Late or post war example of the Italian M33 steel helmet in absolutely excellent condition. Though intended as an infantry helmet, these were issued and worn by pilots and aircrews of the Regia Aeronautica for protection against flak (in the same way that US and German crews wore infantry style helmets over their flying headgear). The M33 remained in service until long after the war but, like the US M-1, its design didn't change at all. Steel shell with a glove soft leather liner, swivel bales and a canvas webbing chin strap. Maker / batch marked M80 on shell. Italian headgear is quite difficult to find and this is a great opportunity to add a beautiful example to a WWII Italian flight gear collection at an excellent price.

 

$50 / £42/ €45  email to secure this item