Bobby Helmet FAQ
(This copyrighted article originally appeared in the three 1988 issues of PICA Magazine as a three-part series. It is reprinted here with the kind permission of the author, Mr. Steve Marriott, who is also editor of the magazine. When using it as a resource document remember that the information is dated 1988! Also, when viewing the .jpg photos, remember to use your browser's "Back" button to return to the FAQ.)
BRITISH POLICE HELMETSThe UK visitor can be forgiven for thinking that the helmets worn by the Police Forces of England and Wales are all the same. It is a fact, however, that many people resident in the islands also believe this to be true. The confusion, without doubt, extends to the collector and this article will, hopefully, clarify the whole subject.
There are, basically, three different styles, known quite simply as the Comb (Fig.l), the Ball-top (Fig.2) and the Rose top (Fig.3).
The fact that the Rose-top and the Ball-top are really the same style but with differing furniture on top, does not help matters. Neither does phrases like 'Furniture' - the comedian will, no doubt, picture a policeman with a coffee table on his head but the term when referring to helmets simply means any adornment other than the headgear itself e.g. metal band, side roses, plate, etc.
The origins of the helmet lie in military headgear but, eventually, the Government of the day decided that some uniformity was necessary. The Home Office `approved' one pattern (Fig.3a) which, to this day, is technically known as the 'Home Office pattern helmet' - what else! Some Forces adopted the style but differing opinions as to exactly what should adorn the top of the helmet led to the Rose-top and the Ball-top. The Comb helmet remains by far the most popular style with twenty-two out of the forty-six U.K. Forces (including the Channel Islands) opting for this pattern. The first part of the article will, therefore, deal with the Comb helmet.
MANUFACTURERS
There are three current manufacturers of the Comb helmet - Christys of Stockport, Compton Webb of Oxfordshire and Helmets Limited of Wheathampstead. The latter is a very recent addition to the fold and, whereas there is a distinct difference between the products of Christys and Compton Webb, those of Helmets Limited and Compton Webb are virtually identical.
Christys helmets, up until a few years ago, were always distinguishable by the absence of the central seam, running from the middle of the back of the helmet, across the top , down to the point of the peak on other makes. This style is still widely worn by such Forces as Merseyside, Cheshire and Greater Manchester. They have, however, now produced a seamed helmet but, unlike Compton Webb items, it is quite hard to detect. The other main difference between Christys and Comptons (I include Helmets Ltd when I refer to Comptons) is in the colour and the material used. Chrystys helmets are black and made from an almost fluffy felt material whereas Compton's are of a very dark blue and a much flatter, coarser material. The distinction becomes apparent when the two types are side by side.
FURNITURE
At the front of the 'Comb' is a large hole, presumably an escape route for perspiration during those long hot summers for which Britain is known so well. The hole, not particularly attractive in itself, is covered by what may be referred to as a 'Comb-top' or piece of decorative furniture.
There are three different designs of Comb-top, two of which are peculiar to one Force each. Durham Constabulary (Fig.4) has its own shield design and the Essex Police (Fig.5) sport a cockleshell, the latter having its origins in the old Southend force. All twenty other Forces wear the standard 'Batswing' vent design. I suppose if caught in the correct light, one can imagine a Bat's wing - I think! (Fig.6). I should perhaps mention the fact that the Batswing vent of the City of London Police helmet (Fig.7) is black, or I will live to regret the omission.
Finally, we can deal with the bands, the ornamental strips of metal or plastic surrounding the entire helmet. Fortunately, there are only four variations consisting of a) Broad plastic band (Fig.8), b) Narrow black metal band (Fig.9), c) Narrow chrome metal band (Fig.lO) and d) Broad chrome metal band (Fig.11). We can dispense with the latter (Fig.11), speedily, as only the South Wales Police and the West Mercia Constabulary wear this type.
In an effort to simplify the whole subject, there follows a list of all the twenty-two Forces currently using the Comb helmet together with the furniture and the manufacturer. A point worth mentioning is that contracts do change and, therefore, more than one compiny may produce helmets for one Force. I do, as a result, give only a guide, and that in itself is based on the items in my own collection.
* Derbyshire - both types of bands seen.
FORCE MANUFACTURER BAND COMB TOP Cambridgeshire Compton/Christy Fig.10 Fig.6 Cheshire Christy Fig.8 Fig.6 Cleveland Compton Fig.10 Fig.6 Derbyshire Christy Fig.8/9* Fig.6 Durham Compton Fig.8 Fig.4 Dorset Christy Fig.8 Fig.6 Essex Compton Fig.9 Fig.5 Greater Manchester Christy Fig.8 Fig.6 Hampshire Compton Fig.8 Fig.6 Gwent Compton Fig.10 Fig.6 Jersey Compton Fig.8 Fig.6 Kent Compton/Helmets Ltd Fig.9 Fig.6 City of London Christy Fig.8 Fig.7 Merseyside Christy Fig.8 Fig.6 Norfolk Compton Fig.8 Fig.6 Northumbria Christy Fig.8 Fig.6 South Wales Christy/Compton Fig.11 Fig.6 Staffordshire Christy Fig.10 Fig.6 Suffolk Compton Fig.10 Fig.6 Thames Valley Compton Fig.8 Fig.6 West Mercia Compton Fig.11 Fig.6 West Yorkshire Christy Fig.10 Fig.6 Only eight Police forces in England and Wales choose to wear the Ball-top helmet and, with only two exceptions, they are all different.
Again with only two exceptions, the outstanding feature of this style is the exterior panelling, reminiscent of many Victorian helmets. Only two Forces, Bedfordshire and the Isle of Man, do not use the six-panelled style and prefer the more conventional two panels in common with the majority of helmets.
The panelling effect is best shown in Fig.1b (Devon and Cornwall) and Fig.2b (Nottinghamshire). The pattern of stitching varies between manufacturers but the end result is pretty much the same.
Moving on from the panelling to the 'ball' itself is a very simple exercise as, again with the one exception rearing its head, they are all identical (Fig. 3b). The black sheep of the family is that of Nottinghamshire (Fig. 4b) with their eight pointed star design.
The decorative bands become rather more complicated and it is as well to deal with the narrow chrome band (Fig. 5b) in the first instance. North Wales Police and Lincolnshire Police are the only two Forces to opt for this item of furniture.
Plain cloth bands account for three Forces, Leicestershire Constabulary, Humberside Police and Nottinghamshire Constabulary. The band of the Leicestershire (Fig. 6b) and Humberside helmets is slightly wider than that of Nottinghamshire (Fig. 2b). Bedfordshire is out on its own with a narrow plastic band (Fig.7b) whilst the remainder, Devon and Cornwall and the Isle of Man, sport wide plastic bands (Fig.1b) similar to that on a Merseyside comb helmet.
The only side furniture consists of roses, some large, some small. Leicestershire and Devon and Cornwall choose large roses, one at each side (Fig.1b) whilst Bedfordshire goes for four small roses at the sides, front and back. Lincolnshire also has the small roses but only at the sides in common with the 'chrome band' feature.
Mention must, of course, be made of the white helmet of the Isle of Man Police Force. Apart from the colour, it is identical to its black counterpart (Fig. 8b) and is still worn in the summer months.
The main manufacturers of this style of helmet are Christys and Comptons but I understand that Helmets Limited do produce for some Forces. As I mentioned in the closing stages of part one, contracts change and it is very difficult to constantly monitor who is making what and for whom!! Suffice to say, that there is very little difference between the products of the three companies as far as the ball-top helmet is concerned.
Before I present a simplification of the ball-top helmet, I should perhaps mention the Dyfed-Powys Police. Recent information suggested that have changed from a Home Office pattern helmet to a ball-top. I have made numerous enquiries in this respect and all my questions receive the same answer - the Home Office pattern helmet is still worn by this Force and there is no truth in the 'ball-top rumour'.
FORCE PANELLED BAND WIDE/NARROW ROSES Bedfordshire No Plastic Narrow Four small Devon & Cornwall Yes Plastic Wide Two large Humberside Yes Cloth Wide None Isle of Man No Plastic Wide None Leicestershire Yes Cloth Wide Two large Lincolnshire Yes Chrome Narrow Two small North Wales Yes Chrome Narrow Two small Nottinghamshire Yes Cloth Wide None The 'Rose-top' or `Home Office pattern' helmet is the style that the vast majority of the uninitiated believe all policemen wear. As we have seen, this is far from fact, but then the Police Service does, to an extent, survive on myth!
It is the simplest of the three styles and, as a result, the easiest to describe. As with the 'Comb' and 'Ball-top' helmets, there are currently three manufacturers - Compton, Christys and Helmets Limited. All three productions are very similar from an exterior point of view although, peering inside, it will be noted that various materials have been used as liners, not all of them providing the wearer with the ultimate in comfort.
Christys tend to employ foam padding and, as such, their helmets are more of a pleasure to wear. Comptons go for simplicity itself in the shape of a draw-string should the head in question be between sizes. Finally, the use of a leather sweat band by Helmets Limited accounts for the much larger amounts of perspiration exuded from the foreheads of the members of the Metropolitan Police Force.
Starting at the top, there is only one variation in the metal 'Rose' and that appears on the helmets of the Guernsey Island Police Force. Theirs is black, it seems for no other reason than the helmet plate is chrome. There appears to be no logic attached to it and is, without doubt, an odd combination. The design of Guernsey's 'Rose' does not, however, differ in any way from all the remaining examples which are chrome (Fig.1c). The effect of the age of plastic has been felt in some cases but, again, the design itself remains the same.
Similarly uncomplicated is the metal band surrounding the helmet. Some Forces use black (Fig. 2c) whilst others opt for chrome. In the past, variations have existed, notably South Wales in the 'pre-Comb' days. Today, however, only the two alternatives are used. Small side roses have their place with both the black and chrome bands together with a smooth headed fixing stud at front and rear. Obviously the roses and studs correspond to the finish of the band.
The only other variation occurs with the Senior Officers' helmet used by some Forces. Whereas that worn by Constables and Sergeants of the Metropolitan Police employs a black metal band, that of their Senior Officers has chrome (Fig. 3c). The original version had only one band although, presumably in an effort to positively identify the wearer as a man of rank, later, and current examples have two chrome bands. Other Forces use similar headgear for Officers although, I regret, I do not have a complete list.
The sixteen Forces, listed below, using the 'Home Office pattern' now completes this article on British Police helmets and I hope that any future problems as to which plate should adorn which helmet, will be few and far between.
FORCE BAND ROSE Avon & Somerset Black Chrome Cumbria Black Chrome Dyfed-Powys Chrome Chrome Gloucestershire Black Chrome Guernsey Black Black Hertfordshire Chrome Chrome Lancashire Black Chrome Metropolitan Black Chrome North Yorkshire Chrome Chrome Northhamptonshire Chrome Chrome South Yorkshire Chrome Chrome Surrey Chrome Chrome Sussex Black Chrome Warwickshire Black Chrome West Midlands Black Chrome Wiltshire Black Chrome
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