Wanted: ww2 british despatch riders helmet

[Sterling Ball]

hi all,

im looking for a ww2 british despatch riders helmet in good wearable condition, i am in australia.

cheers
Sterling

[Neil Ashley]

Giving a size would help. Unless you have a small head you may find a problem.

I had a feeling that someone was selling reproductions on e-bay.

[Sterling Ball]

hi mate,

yeah around a 7 1/4 or 7 1/2 woul be perfect, yes i saw that, its WPG selling them, look ok but not real confident on indian steel..

Sterling

[Neil Ashley]

The original steel is not that robust and in the UK their legality in use is questionable as they do not meet current EU standards.

Potentially if nothing else I suppose it could invalidate any life insurance if you had any accident whilst wearing one.

[jack neville]

You can't legally ride with original or repro Sterling on the highway. A repro might be a better option over a worn or ill fitting original.

[Sterling Ball]

thanks guys, i was questionable to that at first but apparently because it was manufactured solely as a motorcycle helmet the era or safety rating wasnt applicable, even so i doubt anyone would pull me up during a reenactment or when in convoy with other MVs, ill look at the WPG repro then, i was also concerned about the shape of the rim as originals are slightly upturned at the brim to aid with visisbility, will have to check that the WPG one is correct in that respect then.

thanks again

Sterling

[Phillip]

Sterling, the guys are all correct - steel helmets are not legal and I would not trust a cheap repro on my head, irrespective of speed.

If you have a $10 head, wear a $10 helmet.

I use a Davida 'Classic' helmet. Hand made and absolutely top quality. Mind you, it still does not conform to any safety standards.

Original helmets are readily available in the UK and for not much more than a repro. They turn up here regularly so I'd suggest that you keep looking?

What upturn at the brim?

[Sterling Ball]

Hi phillip,

thanks, yeah well rules are meant to be broken as they say haha, and i would be more worried about the bike if i crashed not my head haha. yeah the shape of that helmet you have looks good and would come up ok with a paint and correct liner added, i will keep wieghing up my optiond as i dont trust cheap indian steel either. will see what i can find. i thought at the front where the forehead bumper is the lip is slightly higher.


Sterling

[Chris Collins]

I have a shell i've been intending to convert to an airborne helmet, it was in poor shape, though a soak in a 10% solution of molassess soon cleaned it up. the steel wasn't great back then either as it has cracks in it from when it was formed. No I'm not that interested in parting with it. sorry.

Keep an eye out they show up now and then, but yes i wouldn't put a lot of faith in their protective benefits.

Cheers

Chris

[Paul Dutton]

Yeah, they crop up on ebay, in military hats and helmets. One there complete, nice for bout £50!

[Neil Ashley]

Lots of small sizes are constantly on e-bay but a 7 1/2 one would be rare and usually a lot more than £50.00

[Jack Innes]

This is not terribly original but it will fool some. In any case there is some degree of modern protection in spite of the fact that, I am told, painting the helmet contravenes some regulation.

[Sterling Ball]

hi jack, what make is that helmet? where did you get it?

cheers
sterling

[Jack Innes]

Sterling, the helmet had the brand "Riderware" on it & the label inside indicates that it was made in Taiwan. I bought it new in the box at a motorcycle swap meet several years ago. It came with a snap on visor. I wish I could be of more help finding one. If you search eBay under "motorcycle half helmet" you will see many similar units.

Jack