Casgliadau Arlein

Police helmet dated post 1950-67, tall domed shape, flaring out at the brim, slightly longer at the back and pointed at the front. The basic shape is made from cork which is covered with 2 sections of navy felted wool with the machine sewn seam down the centre using black cotton. The brim is bound with black PVC also machine sewn in black thread. There are 2 black metal eyelets in each side for ventilation, other fittings include a white metal textured metal strip fixed above the brim with one plain tack and 3 decorative rose tacks, the badge is missing. The top of the crown is topped with a white metal, rose shaped boss with 5 holes stamped out for ventilation. The inside is covered in a coated plain woven fabric possibly cotton, coloured green, machine sewn in 6 panels which are adhered to the cork with an un-known glue. There is a hole in the crown, next to this is a one small wooden peg inserted through a loop which hold the boss in place (2 wooden pegs are missing). There is a forehead band made from neutral coloured leather, it is fixed with a cork strip covered with cotton on the suede side, machine sewn with grey cotton thread, then the leather is folded back so that the smooth side is outermost, the top edge is not fixed but has been gathered with red cotton yarn to adjust for a more comfortable fit. The leather is stamped with the size ‘6 ½’ also the letters ‘WR’ written in black marker pen and the name of the wearer ‘P.C. 294 E.P REYNISH’ written in blue biro ink. The chin strap is made from black patent leather and is fixed into the side of the forehead band; there are 2 black metal buckles for adjustment