Original Item: Only One Available. The Traditional Bobby helmet was named after the creator of the British Police Force, SIR ROBERT PEEL, who became Prime Minister under Queen Victoria. This version, known as a “Comb Top”, replaced the earlier “ball top” and “rose top” helmets used in many areas. The pattern features a pronounced ridge on the top of the helmet, which is capped off by a silvered fitting some simple designs.
The front Helmet plate has a “Queens’s Crown” to top, over a star burst, with GREATER MANCHESTER / POLICE in a blue enameled circle. In the center of the plate is E II R inside a red circle, the royal cypher of Queen Elizabeth II. The “Queen’s Crown” further indicates issue sometime after 1952, when Queen Elizabeth II assumed the throne.
Based on the design, we feel this is probably from the 1970s or 1980s. It is made from pressed stiff green felt, with a dark navy blue felt covering. The interior has a brown leather sweatband marked CHRISTYS’ LONDON, and the rigging looks to be made of rayon or nylon. The helmet does not have a dress chin strap, just a fabric one with a sliding buckle, which is in very good condition.
The helmet does show wear and use on the interior, and some of the plastic edge trim around the brim…
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