Here is the description exactly from sale 194 May 14 1998 Manion\'s catalog of this item :
Helmet, unicque experimental pattern: Domed shell in combat pattern but odd, light weight, fiborous construction - type drab brown finish with white star stenciled on front. Improvised oilcloth liner in same pattern as the combat helmet - tie string chinstrap in olive green woven cotton. Beautiful conditon, shows only storage age from stacking - vertical ribs inside for strength Unissued.
The yellow felt star long gone. Outside not in mint unused condition but good condition and solid. Inside in mint condition.
Listed at $450 or $550 for grand new unissued helmets on Manion\'s catalog back in 1998,
I have not concluded whether this was really a very late last ditch Japanese helmet when no more steel left to make steel helmets or some sort of U.S. defense department secret mission against Japan project by CIA.
You be the judge.
The Manion\'s sale catalog is negotiable item. sale is the helmet only.
This could be a made in Japan helmet for WWII Japanese helmet collectors in U.S. in 1950s or 1960s. If that is so, it is still a very collectable item since it is almost 70 years old and made in Japan is always very collectible item !
If Manion\'s is right, you are a winner while everybody else including me are losers.
I wish I bought more Norwegian helmets in 1975 when I walked into a store where the owner were sorting them out and have all of them lying on their floor. How much are one of these helmets cost now ?
