Custodian Helmet 1970's

Avon & Somerset Constabulary helmet 1974-80

This is an example of one of the first Avon & Somerset cork helmets from the 1970's. The beading rim is made from plastic. Older police helmets dating from the 1950's and before were fitted with leather beading on the rim.

Note how the bottom of the helmet plate overlaps onto the metal helmet band.

Most police helmets have two eyelets on the side to aid ventilation. Some older versions have just one hole. The Christy's helmet used by Somerset & Bath Constabulary in the early 1970's only had one ventilation hole on each side. I'm not aware of  any Bristol or Somerset Constabulary helmets with only one ventilation hole. The black metal helmet band is secured on each side and the rear by a small brass rose motif. The band and rose are made from brass painted black. There is a plain rounded head brass stud used on the front.

This helmet liner has a plastic sweatband and red drawstring which was standard for Avon & Somerset helmets of this period. I've also seen some early versions with leather sweatbands. There are small wooden pegs used to secure the rose top and helmet plate. The chin strap is patent leather. 

It's possible this example was previously a Bristol Constabulary helmet which was re-badged. The shape and design is almost identical to the last helmets used by Bristol Constabulary. Alternatively it could have been from Bristol Constabulary's old stock which was later used by the newly formed Avon & Somerset Constabulary.

Modern helmets used by Avon & Somerset retain the traditional leather chin strap even though it has no functional use. London Met Police helmets no longer have the traditional single chin strap fitted; just the webbing harness type. 

Here's another example of a cork helmet from the same period, fitted with the metal helmet plate:

Avon & Somerset cork helmet 1970's

Interior showing the vinyl type of head sweatband

Brass cotter pins used to hold the helmet plate

It was more common for helmet plates to be secured by wooden pegs like those used to secure the rose top on this helmet (see below). However, this example uses brass 'cotter pins' to secure the helmet plate. Cotter pins are usually used with cap badges that have lug fixings. You can see from this close up that the surface corrosion on the pin is consistent with the age of helmet so I believe this to be an original fixing.

Wooden pegs used to secure the helmet rose top

In 1977 the London Metropolitan Police issued the first ABS custodian helmet. I've included the Avon & Somerset version under the period 1980-1985.