Police Helmet Plates

A selection of helmet plates from 1974 to the present day

Police helmet badges are usually referred to as helmet plates by collectors. The first Avon & Somerset Constabulary versions were nickel plated metal with three lugs on the reverse for fitting to the helmet. Chrome plated versions were also produced. The current issue helmet plate measures 12cm high by 9.5cm wide.

Helmet plate 1: 1974-1980

Helmet plate version 1: 1970's nickel plated

This nickel plated version has less of a shine and tends to tarnish slightly yellow with age. See the comparison below with the newer chrome plated version on the right.

Nickel and chrome plated metal comparison

Black night helmet plate?

At first glance this appears to be an Avon & Somerset Constabulary black 'night' helmet plate. However, Avon & Somerset Constabulary was formed in 1974, by which time night helmets were no longer in use. Black helmet plates were phased out during the 1960's in favour of nickel/chrome. Any Avon & Somerset Constabulary night helmet plates are not genuine.

Genuine night helmet plates are typically blackened brass or brass painted black. From the condition of this example, it may have been a metal detecting find which was subsequently painted. Alternatively, it could have been de-chromed or one which was never chromed/nickel plated. Paint does not adhere well directly onto a chrome or nickel plated surface (see my other example under Bath City Police).

 

Helmet plate 2: 1980-1984

Early 1980's chrome plated plastic

When the new ABS composite police helmet was introduced in the late 1970's, the helmet plate was also changed to a chrome plated plastic version with one screw fixing. A single black plastic screw was used to fix the helmet plate to the helmet. These helmet plates were identical to the previous metal version but not so durable. Early versions were made from chrome plated red plastic and later white plastic. No doubt they were much cheaper, but certainly didn't last as long. From the front, you would be hard pressed to tell the difference between the plastic version and the metal version.


The photos below show where the chrome has come away revealing the red plastic underneath. I'm sure some serving officers were dismayed at the introduction of a plastic helmet plate during that time.

Note the tip of the star has been filed off so it fits above the helmet band stud

Rear view showing the red plastic screw hole

Black plastic screw for fixing to the helmet

Helmet plate 3: 1985-1990

Wyvern shield and chrome plated plastic

  

Original helmets fitted with this particular style of helmet plate are rare since they were only used for a about 5 years before being replaced with the metal colour version below. This particular plastic design is one of the rarer versions of Avon & Somerset Constabulary helmet plate.

Helmet plate 4: 1990's

It's possible that the first version of the new coloured helmet plate was issued only for use with the ceremonial helmets. David Shattock was appointed the new Chief Constable in 1989 and it may have been his initiative to issue a coloured helmet plate to all officers. I believe the first of these were issued in 1989. The design matched the previous plastic version but was made of metal and had a coloured centre. The helmet plate pictured below is one of the first versions which did not have a protective transparent acrylic coating on the centre ring.

Helmet plate 4a

Helmet plate 4a

Helmet plate 4a - no transparent coating

 

All later helmet plates produced had a clear plastic coating on the centre ring. Early versions of this suffered from a gradual tarnishing of the outer surface which made the badge appear yellow (see below).

The yellow version (4b) above has an acrylic coating over the entire surface while on later versions it covered only the outer ring (4c) as shown in the pictures below. It's also slightly heavier than the later versions at 57g compared to 40g for the current version.

Helmet plate 4b

Helmet plate 4c

Current issue helmet plate

It's worth noting that a few Police Forces produced helmet plates specifically for the Special Constabulary. Surrey and the City of London were two who had their own versions with "Special Constabulary" included on the centre ring. Avon & Somerset Special Constabulary never had their own version and adopted the standard helmet plate seen here. This version has remained in service unchanged for around 20 years. 

Helmet fitting with brass screw

Metal pin on the rear of the crown

 The modern helmet plates have a small pin just behind the crown for securing to the helmet. In practice, these pins bend backwards rather than pierce the strong ABS of the plastic helmet.

Whilst the current helmet plates are durable, they do suffer from loss of enamel if subjected to trauma, as shown with the example here.

Helmet plate with damaged enamel

This photograph taken in Bristol 2011 shows that so much of the enamel has fallen away from this officers helmet plate that it now resembles the previous 1980's plastic version.

Here's an unusual painted Avon & Somerset Constabulary helmet plate which was probably used on ceremonial helmets, as they were for Bristol Constabulary. It's one of the early metal issue helmet plates which has been carefully hand painted.

 

 

Metal die for the later issue helmet plate centres

The London Metropolitan Police use a 'painted' blue centre ring which is not prone to the same damage as the Avon & Somerset versions. No doubt the painted versions are cheaper to produce. Avon & Somerset and the Met Police are now both using the 'painted' style cap badges rather than using any type of more costly traditional enameling process. It's often cost saving measures which bring changes.

Avon & Somerset Constabulary helmet plates can be found on eBay for between £15-£20. Some traders still try and sell the standard helmet plates for up to £40. A few years ago any current versions were being removed by eBay as they were considered prohibited police items. The same goes for helmets. Perhaps 'policing' eBay has proved too resource intensive. 

The 1980's plastic helmet plates occasionally appear on eBay but the rarest is a hand-painted ceremonial helmet, followed by the plastic version I have shown as 4a, which can sell for between £20 and £40. The difference is only apparent on closer inspection.