Casgliadau Arlein

Newport Borough Police helmet, standard issue between 1935-1953.

Police helmet from the 1930’s/1950’s tall domed shape, slightly longer at the back and pointed at the front. The basic shape is made from cork and is covered with 6 panels of navy wool twill on the outside, sewn together by machine in black thread. The brim is bound with a thin strip of black patent leather and sewn by machine. The sides each have a black metal eyelet for ventilation. The hat is trimmed with a black leather strap (2cm wide); it is fixed with a double stitch at the front and back, there are 2 large decorative rose tacks at the sides which also have hooks to attach the chin strap. On the front there is a circular plaque with laurel leaves around the edge and a crown at the top, it is stamped with the words ‘NEWPORT BOROUGH POLICE’ with a shield in the centre. The top of the hat is adorned with a large plated white metal boss with 4 arms, each with a rose motif and 4 holes for ventilation, in the centre is a white metal spike which screws into a thread at the top of the boss. The inside is covered in a coated plain woven fabric possibly cotton, coloured green, also sewn in 6 panels with a hole in the crown. There are 3 white metal loops which hold the boss in place (possibly once with wooden pegs). There is a forehead band made from neutral coloured leather, it is fixed with a cardboard strip on the suede side, sewn with black and white linen threads, then leather is folded back so that the smooth side is outermost, the top edge is not fixed but has been gathered with un-bleached cotton string to adjust for a more comfortable fit. There is a black patent leather chin strap sewn to a white metal linked chain with white and brown cotton threads, the ends of the chain loop over the hooks on the sides of the helmet. Both spike and chin strap are detachable. Strap can also be draped across the front of the helmet via the hooks on either side.