British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Recent Books by Forum Members

   

Go Back   British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum > Common Forums > Headdress

 Other Pages: Galleries, Links etc.
Glossary  Books by Forum Members     Canadian Pre 1914    CEF    CEF Badge Inscriptions   Canadian post 1920     Canadian post 1953     British Cavalry Badges     Makers' Marks    Pipers' Badges  Canadian Cloth Titles  Books  SEARCH
 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 14-03-19, 06:15 PM
JerryBB's Avatar
JerryBB JerryBB is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Wales
Posts: 5,021
Default Moss Bros FS helmet

this came thru a friend from a flea market in California. It is in nearly mint condition, and apart from some tarnish on the liner mounting pins, which is itself splitting and cracking with age, which it is made from very dark brown shiny leather. I assume it just has storage wear and is otherwise unused.

I have never been sure if this is a period item from the early 20th century which would be very early in moss Bros's history or a later item made in the early style for a gentleman traveler or perhaps a movie prop. I include a WWII advert which mentions their over 50 years of outfitting the services.

Whatever the truth, it is a lovely item.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg moss bros fs helmet 1.jpg (42.0 KB, 38 views)
File Type: jpg moss bros fs helmet 2.jpg (39.7 KB, 35 views)
File Type: jpg moss bros fs helmet 4.jpg (44.7 KB, 44 views)
File Type: jpg moss bros advert.jpg (68.9 KB, 29 views)
__________________
Regards,

Jerry
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14-03-19, 07:10 PM
grenadierguardsman's Avatar
grenadierguardsman grenadierguardsman is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 3,899
Default

Very nice too.
Andy
__________________
Leave to carry on Sir please.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14-03-19, 07:20 PM
leigh kitchen's Avatar
leigh kitchen leigh kitchen is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 9,032
Default

Are you happy that the Moss Bros label is original to the helmet Jerry, not that I'd think anybody'd find it necessary to stick on one that didn't belong.
The American version of the FSH was basically as per the British one, do you reckon it's definitely a British helmet?
I'm not suggesting that it isn't, I've not got no example of either nationalities FSH.
You say that there's a possibility of it being a movie prop - would a prop be made so accurately re. materials and interior?

Last edited by leigh kitchen; 14-03-19 at 10:26 PM. Reason: I typed "no" auto correct prefers "an".
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14-03-19, 07:48 PM
JerryBB's Avatar
JerryBB JerryBB is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Wales
Posts: 5,021
Default

Leigh, it is definitely the British pattern FSH, but the label could have been stuck on, though as it was cheap enough in the flea market that the owner gifted it to me as long as I paid the P&P that it seems unlikely it has been messed with.

I really do not know for certain what to make of it, I have listed the three most likely options IMO;

1/ a minty period item
2/ a later recreation to suit a gentleman
3/ a movie prop for something like the 4 feathers, either the 39 version or the 1955 Storm over the Nile perhaps. The FS helmets in the latter are very good from what I remember.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg fs makers label and interior dome vent detail.jpg (54.0 KB, 18 views)
__________________
Regards,

Jerry
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14-03-19, 07:54 PM
leigh kitchen's Avatar
leigh kitchen leigh kitchen is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 9,032
Default

Try running it past Peter Sucui and Stuart Bates?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 14-03-19, 10:21 PM
JerryBB's Avatar
JerryBB JerryBB is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Wales
Posts: 5,021
Default

This movie still from my collection from Young Winston looks very similar whilst others I own from Zulu or the previously mentioned Storm over the Nile or another I own from the 1939 The Four Feathers are all possible sources of movie prop FS helmets.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 1 young winston still - mv.jpg (35.4 KB, 19 views)
File Type: jpg 1 four feathers.jpg (114.0 KB, 9 views)
File Type: jpg 1 zulu still - mv.jpg (105.9 KB, 10 views)
__________________
Regards,

Jerry
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 15-03-19, 10:01 AM
leigh kitchen's Avatar
leigh kitchen leigh kitchen is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 9,032
Default

I was way out with my earlier suggestion that the FSH may be American, I'd read that it was thought that some were produced in Britain but their similar looking helmet had four panels rather than six and according to "Military Sun Helmets Of The World" it was American produced despite the rumours of British manufacture.

A nice helmet and at least this one won't be used as a Professor Elemental costume.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

mhs link

All times are GMT. The time now is 10:10 AM.


Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.