This helmet is the actual illustrated example shown in Helmets of the Home Front II, page 163 by Adrian and George Blake, where it is identified as a two-banded Fire Guard Sector Captain (or Area Instructor) helmet fitted with a first pattern gas curtain. Being a reference-published example from one of the standard works on the subject.

A scarce and fully original British WW2 Fire Guard Mk II steel helmet, retaining its original early-war liner and first pattern anti-gas curtain. Helmets surviving with their gas curtains intact are uncommon, as these were frequently damaged or removed during service.

Shell

The steel shell retains its original factory-applied finish, showing honest service wear throughout. The twin black bands and FG lettering are period-applied, with natural paint loss consistent with age and handling. There is no evidence of later repainting or restoration, and the overall appearance remains untouched. I was unable to find a date on the inside shell. The curtain band remains in place and has not been removed, as I am reluctant to disturb original items.

Liner

Liner is fully intact and displays the early ovel pad,  and stamped Helmets Ltd and dated 1939, confirming early-war production. The liner is complete but shows age-related wear, including stiffening to the pad, which is entirely typical for original liners of this period.

Gas Curtain

Retaining a first pattern anti-gas curtain constructed from coarse brown fabric, as issued during the early war years when gas attack was still considered a serious concern. The curtain shows period wear and includes a few small splits to the rear, which is expected, as these curtains were fragile and rarely survived intact. Finding an example still retaining its gas curtain is increasingly uncommon.

A faint ink stamp is present on the curtain, though it is indistinct and cannot be positively identified. No attempt has been made to interpret or enhance this marking.

Overall

A completely original early-war Fire Guard helmet with strong character and excellent display presence. While not wearable due to liner condition, it remains an honest, untouched example retaining all its key components.

Historical Note

The Fire Guard was formed in 1940 to counter the widespread risk posed by incendiary bombing during the Blitz. Fire Guards were civilian volunteers responsible for identifying and extinguishing fires caused by incendiary devices, often working under extremely hazardous conditions during air raids.

Early Fire Guard helmets frequently followed Civil Defence patterns and were often fitted with anti-gas curtains, despite these later proving ineffective. As discussed in Helmets of the Home Front II, many such items were nonetheless retained in service, making surviving examples with original curtains particularly desirable today. The marking style seen on this helmet is illustrated in the same reference work, providing useful contextual support.

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