Need help identifying an old WWII helmet.

[Obie303]

Today an elderly man (who turns 90 in a few weeks) was talking to me when I was at work.  He talked my ear off for almost 45 minutes. It was a fascinating conversation that spanned several topics.  I learned that he was in the Army Air Corp during WWII and one job was working on the automatic turrets in the B-29's.  Through his travels, he picked up several war trophies.  After that time, I said it was a pleasure to meet him and we parted ways.  He came looking for me about an hour later and presented me a WWII helmet.  I said that I couldn't take such a gift but he insisted because he never met someone who showed such an interest in his stories.  He said that he forgot where he got the helmet but was pretty sure it was British.

I took a few photos to share with everyone and hope that somebody with more expertise can shed some light on this type of helmet.

Here's what I found first;  Cloth tag in the helmet reads: A. Dunn & Co. Ltd., Hat Makers, London & Provinces.  On the support inside the helmet is : 7 VERO II 1940.  The helmet is lightweight.  It feels like the metal is maybe an aluminum or other lightweight metal.  It was originally painted a dark brown and then repainted a light desert brown.  It is held together by rivets on the rim and is in my opinion, very good condition.





Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Obie

[winz1950]

Probably made of compressed cardboard, more pictures here

{edit}sorry, link not working URL is
http://tinyurl.com/5u7j5o

[Erkel]

From the layer on the top, I'd say it was made from the ball sack of an Austrian Giant and probably worn as a display of virility.

[Masherbrum]

Probably made of compressed cardboard, more pictures here

{edit}sorry, link not working URL is
http://tinyurl.com/5u7j5o

looks identical to me as well. 

[PFactorDave]

Looks like an helmet that was probably issued to civilians during the London Blitz. 

[nipper]

Looks like an helmet that was probably issued to civilians during the London Blitz. 

Agreed on the civilian angle. Not sure if Dunn were responsible for making the shell, they were a gentlemens outfitters near the Savoy Hotel so maybe just made the liner.

[SlapShot]

looks identical to me as well. 

Mash ... we looking at the same picture ? ... it's identical in shape, but thats where it end from what I can see.

[mechanic]

Wow good for you obie, a generous heart is rewarded this time!
to me it looks to be either civillian issue helmet or a cheap mass produced home gaurd/waaf/arp helmet. I'm not an expert but it certainly does not look like front line issue equipment.
The only thing that confuses me is the paint scheme, you said it was painted desert brown and that makes the question more difficult. To my knoledge the home gaurd didnt quite make it as far as north africa...
 I dont suppose you asked the old gent where he found it?

[doleboy]

http://www.gostak.demon.co.uk/helmets/unitedkingdom.htm

[mechanic]

nice work doleboy.

got to be one of these two. most likely the first one.





both classed as civil defence

[redman555]

yea looks british of some sort

-BigBOBCH

[E25280]

Mash ... we looking at the same picture ? ... it's identical in shape, but thats where it end from what I can see.

Scroll farther down, past the first "police" version.  There is one with the same flower pattern (no other way I can think of to describe it).

[Bear76]

I need two to make my GF a breast plate. Right shape and size 

[yanksfan]

Not sure about British helmets, but it reminds me of the old steel pot liners we used to have, looks like a helmet but is made as head gear with the steel pot going over top of it.

Not saying thats what it is, but thats what it reminds me of.

[valdals]

looks like it could have been used in north africa. as you know the british, germans, italians, and other countries used light weight helmets in tropical and desert environment instead of the metalic ones.