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A Bruce Bairnsfather Old Bill Chromed Bronze Car Mascot, classic figure, flared moustache with helmet signed, on turned wood base, 15cm high

A Bruce Bairnsfather Old Bill Chromed Bronze Car Mascot, classic figure, flared moustache with helmet signed, on turned wood base, 12 cm high

A Bruce Bairnsfather Old Bill Bronze Car Mascot, classic figure, flared moustache with helmet signed, on threaded metal base, 14 cm high

A Bruce Bairnsfather Old Bill Bronze Car Mascot, classic figure, flared moustache with helmet signed, without base, base of scarf to top of helmet 12cm

A Bruce Bairnsfather Old Bill Bronze Car Mascot, classic figure, flared moustache with helmet signed, without base but with threaded screw, base of scarf to top of helmet 12cm

A Bruce Bairnsfather Old Bill Bronze Car Mascot, classic figure, flared moustache with helmet signed, without base, base of scarf to top of helmet 12cm

Two Bruce Bairnsfather Old Bill Miniature Bronze Mascot Figures, classic figure, flared moustache with helmet signed, one loose with turned base, the other on turned bronze stem and square base, tallest 9cm high (2),

A British WWI Steel Helmet with ‘Old Bill’ Hand Painted Top, relic British helmet shell with painted ‘The Better ‘Ole’ and signed Bruce Bairnsfather, with a hole to helmet, Painting not old.

5x WW2 ‘Hitlers Terror’ Bulldog Figures, one with minor chip to helmet, 14cmH, (5), Note: No in house shipping available for this lot

5x WW2 ‘Hitlers Terror’ Bulldog Figures, one with cracked leg and minor chip to helmet, 14cmH, (5), Note: No in house shipping available for this lot

5x WW2 ‘Hitlers Terror’ Bulldog Figures, two with chips to helmet, some paint loss to others, 14cmH (5), Note: No in house shipping available for this lot

WW1 Commemorative Desk Piece in form of a French Tank in Combat, cast white metal desk pen and ink holder set in the form of a French Renault tank going over no mans land and an enemy trench with a French tankers helmet on mound which lifts up to reveal ink pot, now absent. Plaque to the front “sir de LORETTE”. Generally good condition.

British 3rd (Prince of Wales Own) Dragoon Guards Officers Dress Helmet, fine example of a gilded metal 1871 pattern dress helmet with beautiful undamaged enamel central helmet plate having silvered Prince of Wales plumes within garter strap with blue and red enamel, all mounted on to a facetted star backing plate. Gilt laurel leaf spray to the lower centre and back strap. Rosette side bosses with a linked chin chain. Spike base with a fluted socket to hold the black over red officers horse hair plume with rosette top. Leather covering to the undersides of the peaks and officers quality quilted lining to the interior. The helmet is housed in the original japanned metal storage tin. Overall a superb example showing just minor service wear to the interior and just a couple of minor dents to the shell. 

Victorian Household Cavalry Royal Horse Guards Officers Helmet Belonging to Right Honourable Reginald Herbert 15th Earl of Pembroke & Montgomeryshire, superb example of a late Victorian period officers metal 1871 pattern helmet of the Household Cavalry with the metal shell retaining a superb dark patina, fine gilt metal Victorian crowned officers helmet plate with central fretted star and order of the garter to the centre with blue and red enamel remaining in perfect undamaged condition. Large rosette side bosses which hold the leather backed linked chin chain. Star shaped spike base with gilt and silver plated fluted spike socket which leads to the red horse hair plume with gilt metal rosette top for the Royal Horse Guards. Green leather covering to the underside of the front peak. Interior retains the original officers quality lining system. Helmet is stored in the original japanned metal storage tin with the brass name plate engraved “Lord Herbert Royal Horse Guards”. Overall a superb example of a Victorian officers helmet of the Household Cavalry Royal Horse Guards. Rt Hon Reginal Herbert was born on 8th September 1880, eldest son of the 14th Earl of Pembroke & Montgomeryshire and Lady Louisa Lambton. He was educated at Eaton and then The Royal Military College Sandhurst. He was gazetted a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Horse Guards in 1899. From 1912 to 1913 he was A.D.C to Sir Arthur Paget, then the C-in-C of Ireland, and acted in a similar capacity to Sir W P Pulteney in the following year. He served throughout the Great War, being mention in despatches and receiving the Italian Order of the Crown and French Legion of Honour. For a period he was A.D.C to the G.O.C III Corps.He accompanied Prince Arthur of Connaught on his mission to Japan to present the Emperor Yoshihito with the baton of field-marshal in 1918 and afterwards was awarded the M.V.O 4th class. He was also awarded the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun and the Order of the Sacred Treasure 3rd class. He retired from the army in 1919 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Victorian 17th (Duke of Cambridge’s Own) Lancers Other Ranks Lance Cap, of black leather body, white mortar board top. Lions head side bosses with linked chain chinstrap. Cloth covered sides to the top with woollen ball plume socket having brass skull and crossbones button to the centre. White horse hair plume and gilt brass holder. Wrap round other ranks pattern Victorian helmet plate with battle honours up to South Africa 1879. Leather sweatband and black cloth lining to the interior. Some wear to the rear and leather covering absent in places.

Unusual Other Ranks Lance Cap Produced for a Military Tattoo, well made example with the body constructed from black fibre glass material. Fitted with lion head side bosses and leather backed linked chin chain. Brass other ranks Victorian helmet plate for the 16th (Queens) Lancers with battle honours up to the Boer War. Ball tuft plume socket with brass button for the 5th Royal Irish Lancers and a black horsehair plume with socket fitting. No lining to the interior.

Victorian Royal Marine Light Infantry Officers Home Service Helmet, blue cloth covered cork home service helmet with gilt metal regimental pattern officers helmet plate with enamel backing and silver strung bugle to the lower arm. Rosette side bosses and cruciform spike base with rosette fittings but no spike. Complete with its leather sweatband and crimson lining. Carter & Co Pall Mall ink stamp to the interior of the shell. Evidence of four extra holes behind the plate.

Victorian Royal Army Medical Corps Volunteer Officers Home Service Helmet, fine example of a blue cloth home service pattern helmet with white metal officers helmet plate in the form of the Royal Arms, rosette side bosses with velvet backed linked chinchain. Cruciform spike base with rosettes and a ball top as opposed to the spike. Interior with leather sweatband and cloth lining. Gilt tooled retailers label for E Hills, 32 Week Street Maidstone. Some scattered areas of mothing to the blue cloth body but the white metal fittings retain much of the frosted finish. The town of Maidstone in Kent has a long history with the Volunteer battalions of the Royal Army Medical Corps, see the 1907 publication by Frederick J Wood, “The History of the Maidstone Companies Royal Army Medical Corps (Volunteers)”.

Royal West Kent Regiment Officers Home Service Helmet, fine blue cloth officers helmet with regimental post 1902 kings crown helmet plate to the centre, rosette side bosses and velvet backed linked chinstrap. Cruciform spike base with rosette mounts and officers removable fluted spike. Interior retains leather sweatband and crimson lining. Some evidence of another plate once being present, but this was more than likely a Victorian crowned helmet plate changed when Edward VII came to the throne. Label to the sweatband has inked name “Ramsay”. Generally a good condition example.

The Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment Officers Home Service Helmet, near mint condition example of a post 1902 blue cloth home service pattern helmet with fine quality kings crown officers regimental pattern helmet plate to the centre. Gilt metal side rosettes retaining nearly all of the frosted gilt finish, velvet backed linked chinstrap and cruciform spike base with removable officers spike. Interior shows minimal to no service wear. Original leather sweatband and complete crimson lining. Overall a superb example.

Queens Own Royal Yeomanry (Staffordshire) 1871 Pattern Dress Helmet, untouched example of the blackened metal shell with white metal laurel decoration to the peaks, centre and a large crowned regimental helmet plate, having Staffordshire knot to the centre. Rosette side bosses with a linked leather backed chin scales. Plume socket with white horsehair plume and rosette top piece. Interior with the original black leather liner. Some scuffing and wear to the shell but generally a good untouched example.

Post 1902 Royal Warwickshire Regiment Officers Home Service Helmet, blue cloth cork bodied home service helmet with gilt metal kings crown officers home service helmet plate to the centre for the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Brass front trim, rear spine, cruciform spike base with rosette fittings and officers fluted spike. Rosette side bosses with linked chin chain. Interior with leather sweatband and crimson lining. Original name label of the original owner to the sweatband. Housed in the metal storage tin. Couple of areas of moth damage to the body of the helmet. PLEASE NOTE THIS LOT IS STORED IN THE USA, THE LOT WILL BE SHIPPED FROM THE USA. ALL ITEMS STORED IN THE USA WILL BE SHIPPED AFTER MONDAY 15TH AUGUST 2022. PLEASE READ INFORMATION ABOUT LOTS STORED IN THE USA ON THE AUCTION INFORMATION PAGE AND IN OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE.

Victorian South Wales Borderers Officers Home Service Helmet, blue cloth bodied cork home service pattern helmet with gilt metal Victorian crown officers helmet plate to the centre. Gilt metal front trim, rear spine, cruciform cross base with fluted spike. Rosette side bosses and linked chin chain. Interior with leather sweatband and crimson cloth lining. Hawkes & Co ink stamp to the interior. Housed in its metal storage tin. PLEASE NOTE THIS LOT IS STORED IN THE USA, THE LOT WILL BE SHIPPED FROM THE USA. ALL ITEMS STORED IN THE USA WILL BE SHIPPED AFTER MONDAY 15TH AUGUST 2022. PLEASE READ INFORMATION ABOUT LOTS STORED IN THE USA ON THE AUCTION INFORMATION PAGE AND IN OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE.

WW1 American 28th Infantry Division Steel Combat Helmet, superb example of a 2nd pattern British issue steel combat helmet with a semi-rough textured paint finish which has painted red divisional sign to the side of the 28th Infantry division. Helmet is complete with the original oikskin liner which has pink brodie stamp to the underside. Original brown leather chinstrap. Overall a very good example. The first American soldiers that arrived in the UK were issued with British combat helmets, the later troops were issued with the more standard American issue steel combat helmets. The 28th Infantry Division was involved in famous actions such as Meuse-Argonne and Champagne-Marne in 1918.

WW1 American Steel Helmet Shell, good example of a American WW1 helmet shell which retains its non-reflective rough textured paint finish to the exterior of the shell. Interior with the chinstrap fittings having domed rivets. Cloth pad to the interior of the shell but no liner.

WW1 American Camouflaged Steel Helmet, fine example of an American WW1 Doughboy’s steel helmet with a rough textured camouflage pattern paint finish to the exterior. Camouflage colours in red, blue, white and the original khaki. Complete with the original oilskin liner to the interior. No chinstrap. PLEASE NOTE THIS LOT IS STORED IN THE USA, THE LOT WILL BE SHIPPED FROM THE USA. ALL ITEMS STORED IN THE USA WILL BE SHIPPED AFTER MONDAY 15TH AUGUST 2022. PLEASE READ INFORMATION ABOUT LOTS STORED IN THE USA ON THE AUCTION INFORMATION PAGE AND IN OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE.

WW1 British Steel Brodie Helmet Issued to Early American Troops with Camouflage Paint Finish, fine example of an early American steel helmet, being a British steel helmet with the split pin fittings to the chinstrap mounts. The helmet has a fine green, brown and ochre colour finish, in a similar style to that of the WW1 German camouflage pattern. The helmet is complete with its original oilskin liner and leather chinstrap. The first wave of American troops to arrive in Europe for service on the Western Front were issued with British brodie steel helmets. The colours used in this camouflage pattern would lead us to believe that this is a wartime camouflage and not one of the later produced camouflage schemes done after the war had ended for Doughboys going home. PLEASE NOTE THIS LOT IS STORED IN THE USA, THE LOT WILL BE SHIPPED FROM THE USA. ALL ITEMS STORED IN THE USA WILL BE SHIPPED AFTER MONDAY 15TH AUGUST 2022. PLEASE READ INFORMATION ABOUT LOTS STORED IN THE USA ON THE AUCTION INFORMATION PAGE AND IN OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE.

Scarce 1920’s / 1930’s Latvian Army Adrian Pattern Steel Helmet, untouched example of a one piece Adrian pattern helmet shell with the top comb. Remains of the black paint finish to the exterior and interior of the shell. To the front of the helmet is a painted Latvian national shield emblem. Interior of the helmet retains its original black leather liner and brown leather chinstrap. Exterior has a heavy surface rusting and wear. An unusual variation of the Adrian pattern steel helmet.

WW2 British Airborne Forces 7th (Light Infantry) Battalion Parachute Regiment Fibre Rim Steel Combat Helmet, excellent example of an early fibre rim pattern steel combat helmet of the airborne forces. The helmet retains much of the original combat paint finish to the shell. The helmet has original formation sign to the side for the 7th (Light Infantry) Battalion, this being the sign for the Somerset Light Infantry. Helmet is complete with the original 1942 dated liner system and the leather harness chinstraps. The helmet does show some service wear but is generally still a very good example. The 7th Battalion Parachute Regiment was formed from the 10th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry in November 1942. Originally part of the 3rd Parachute Brigade but was later transferred to the 5th Parachute Brigade, part of the 6th Airborne division. The 7th (Light Infantry) battalion jumped into Normandy on D-Day (6th June 1944), they were tasked with relieving the glider-borne coup de main that had captured the bridges across the Orne river and canal. The battalion participated in the defensive battles around Breville and the eventual break out to the Seine, before being withdrawn back to the UK in August 1944. The battalion was later deployed during the Ardennes offensive and later on Operation Varsity, where they jumped across the Rhine under enemy fire.

WW2 1943 British Airborne Forces Steel Combat Helmet, fine example of a British Airborne forces steel combat helmet which retains much of its original combat paint finish to the exterior of the shell. Fitted to the shell is the original camouflage helmet net. Interior of the helmet retains the original 1943 dated liner system with the early pattern leather harness chinstrap. Some wear to the rubber and cracking to the leather chinstrap harness, but generally a very good example.

WW2 British 1942 Dispatch Riders Helmet Worn by Captain R D George South Wales Borderers and Parachute Regiment with Special Allied Airborne Reconnaissance Force (S.A.A.R.F), fine example of a British dispatch riders pattern steel combat helmet which retains the original combat paint finish to the exterior of the shell. Helmet is fitted with its original camouflage net. Interior retains the original liner system with the leather sweatband being stamped BMB and dated 1942. Overall a very good example. This helmet was worn by Captain R D George South Wales Borderers and Parachute Regiment. He served in Special Allied Airborne Reconnaissance Force (S.A.A.R.F) so possibly this is why he wore a dispatch riders helmet. Sold by direct descent of Captain George. See other listings in this auction catalogue for items belonging to Captain George and also souvenirs he brought home.

WW2 British Steel Helmet of Superintendent Fred Stansfield, Chief Officer Peak District Ambulance Service, superb untouched example of a standard model British steel helmet from WW2 with much of the original finish remaining to the shell. To the front of the helmet is painted red cross above “P.D . A.S.” white stencilled “A” in black circle, green painted “S” for superintendent and decaled “AMBULANCE SERVICE”. The helmet is fitted with its original early pattern camouflage net cover. Helmet retains the original liner system and webbing chinstrap. Painted to the interior rim of the shell is “F S”. Accompanying the helmet is some original pictures of Fred Stansfield and his ambulance. Helmet comes with some research material. Originally acquired by the current vendor when the helmet was sold off by the family, they gave the following information, “My father & his ambulance, Mr Fred Stansfield who founded Peak District Ambulance Service in 1930’s based in Eyam”.

WW2 British Foreign Service Helmet, fine khaki cork foreign service helmet with folded cloth pagri. Interior with its leather sweatband and foil lining to the crown. Loose paper size label on sweatband. No date can be found but typical WW2 period example.

Extremely Rare Hong Kong Made WW2 British Royal Navy Port Defence Hong Kong Steel Combat Helmet, the helmet is an excellent example overall which retains much of the original green paint finish to the exterior of the shell. Royal Navy decal insignia to the front of the helmet and remains of a painted marking to the rear. The helmet brim is folded over to give it the look of not having a rim, known as a “Dutch Fold”, this is a characteristic you find on these Hong Kong made helmets. The helmet is complete with the original liner system which was made by the Chiap Hua Manufacturing Company in Hong Kong and is dated 1941. Helmet has the original chinstrap. The liner dome pad is present but loose. Very few of these Hong Kong made helmets are in existence today and are missing from most of the serious WW2 British helmet collections. 

WW2 British 1st (Wickford) Battalion Essex Home Guard Private Purchase Steel Helmet, untouched example of a private purchase British steel helmet with the interior having the remains of the rubber liner system. Underside of the shell is painted with the original owners name “Powell. D” and “1st ESSEX. H.G”. Very worn with not much original paint remaining. Accompanied by another civilian type helmet with the brim slightly down turned. Complete with much of the sorbo rubber liner padding still present to the interior and a webbing two piece chinstrap. (2 items) Ex John Ingham collection.

WW2 British Zuckerman Helmet with Painted Insignia, interesting example of a standard Zuckerman type Fire Watchers civil defence helmet in the standard blue / grey paint finish. To the front of the helmet is a large white painted S within a C. Helmet is complete with its 1941 dated liner. Shows some service wear. No indication of the identity of the painted insignia to the front, possibly a factory.

WW2 British Police Steel Helmet, retaining nearly all of its original dark blue paint finish to the exterior of the shell. White stencilled “POLICE” to the front. Interior retains the original 1939 dated liner system with webbing chinstrap. Accompanied by a semi-relic British helmet shell with remains of the POLICE stencil to the front and Special Constabulary decal above. Complete with its chinstrap but no liner. (2 items)

WW2 British Special Constabulary / Police Commanders Steel Helmet, good example with much of the dark blue paint finish remaining to the exterior and interior of the shell. Stencilled to the front “POLICE” with S.C. in circle decal above and two white bands around the centre. Helmet is complete with its 1939 dated liner system and webbing chinstrap.

WW2 British Home Front Sub Controller Steel Helmet, fine example of a Civil Defence home front steel helmet with white painted exterior, two thick black bands running across the top and the centre of both sides “SUB CONTROLLER”. Helmet interior semi black painted, dome having the original army khaki colour. Helmet is complete with the original 1938 dated liner system and webbing chinstrap. Generally a very good condition example.

WW2 British Special Constabulary Police Inspectors Steel Helmet, being a standard Police issue steel helmet which has a white over paint finish with painted blue POLICE and above decals “S” and “C” with a inspectors decal rank emblem. Helmet retains the original 1939 dated liner system and webbing chinstrap. Police blue paint to the interior of the shell.

WW2 British Home Front Docks Police Steel Helmet, good example of a Civil Defence issue steel helmet with the three drill holes to the brim of the shell. Blue painted exterior with stencilled to the centre “DOCKS POLICE”. Interior of the shell has makers stamp and date 1940. Original liner system with unclear date mark. Complete with the webbing chinstrap. Some wear to the exterior of the helmet.

WW2 British Home Front National Fire Service (N.F.S) Section Commanders Steel Helmet for the London District of Wimbledon, fine example retaining much of the original khaki green paint finish to the shell. Front with NFS decal and district number decal “38” to the brim. Two red bands to the centre of the helmet indicating the rank of Section Commander. Helmet is complete with 1942 dated liner system and webbing chinstrap. Interior rim of the shell with service number 38/239427. Generally good example.

WW2 British Home Front Repair Party Electricity Steel Helmet, standard WW2 British steel helmet with black painted shell and white painted RP/E to the centre of both sides. Complete with 1938 dated liner system and webbing chinstrap. Generally good condition.

WW2 British Home Front Helmet Mobile First Aid Post, standard WW2 British steel helmet with black over paint and white stencilled to the centre “M.F.A.P”. Helmet is complete with 1939 dated liner system and webbing chinstrap. Some rusting to the top of the shell but generally a good example.

WW2 British Auxiliary Fire Service (A.F.S) Steel Helmet, blackened British home front steel helmet with white painted “C/18 AFS” to the front and a red central band. Complete with the original 1940 dated liner system and webbing chinstrap. Some wear and paint loss to the helmet but otherwise a good example.

WW2 British Home Front Heavy Rescue Steel Helmet, standard WW2 British steel helmet which has a olive green paint finish to the exterior and interior of the shell. Crudely painted white band around the helmet and to the front painted “H & W” over “H R”. Complete with 1939 dated liner system and webbing chinstrap. Accompanied by a Sam Browne leather belt and cross strap, felt covered water bottle with leather cradle and shoulder strap.

Historically Important WW2 American M1 Helmet Belonging to Major General Robert McGowan Littlejohn, Chief Quartermaster for the European Theatre of Operations (E.T.O), Hugely Responsible for the Equipment of the US Troops During the D-Day Landings and the Normandy Campaign, fine example of a fixed bale M1 steel combat helmet shell with split to the front seam. Helmet has a rough textured green paint finish to the exterior and fitted with two Generals rank stars which have been screwed into the shell with small bolt fittings to the reverse. Helmet is complete with the original webbing two piece chinstrap which has his name inked to the underside. Remains in very good overall condition. Major General Robert McGowan Littlejohn was born on 23rd October 1890 in Jonesville, South Carolina. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point on 2nd March 1908. He graduated from West Point on 12th June 1912. His first post was to the American 8th Cavalry regiment in the Philippines. He returned with his regiment to the USA and was involved in the Pancho Villa Expedition. He later moved to the 17th Cavalry regiment where he was placed in charge of the Machine Gun Unit. On 11th June 1918, he assumed command of the 332nd Machine Gun battalion of 86th Division. The unit moved to the Western Front in September 1918, but did not see active service until after the armistice was signed. They took part in the occupation of the Rhineland in 1919. Between the wars, Littlejohn continued to serve in the US Army, mostly in the USA, rising up through the ranks in many of the staff and logistical departments. In January 1938, he was sent for his second tour of duty in the Philippines, he ended his tour as the Quartermaster of the Philippine Department. He returned to the USA in June 1940. From June 1940 to May 1942, Littlejohn commanded the Clothing and Equipage Branch in the Office of the Quartermaster General. The division was primarily concerned with procurement, but was accustomed to working closely with the Standardisation Branch, which was responsible for design and development. He was promoted to Colonel on 16 November 1940 and Brigadier General on 30 January 1942. In May 1942, Littlejohn was appointed Quartermaster General of the European Theatre of Operations (ETO) by the new CG-SOS-ETO Lt. Gen. John C. H. Lee, a position he held for the rest of the war, with the rank of Major General from 3 November 1943. For his services as Quartermaster General, Littlejohn was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal with a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, and foreign awards that included the British Order of the Bath, French Croix de Guerre and Dutch Order of Orange Nassau. His first Distinguished Service Medal citation read, in part:“General Littlejohn displayed marked aggressiveness, exceptional organizing ability, and a superior quality of leadership in rapidly establishing a quartermaster service throughout the theatre which met and solved the many unexpected and seemingly insurmountable problems of supply. By his broad experience, foresight and splendid ability which was largely instrumental under his leadership in solving many complex questions in organization and supply of the African Task Force. His untiring efforts and devotion to duty in this connection contributed markedly to the successful landing of this force in North Africa on November 8, 1942.” His later Oak Leaf Cluster citation noted that he "not only maintained anticipated requirements, but exceeded them". However Littlejohn was severely criticised when winter clothing was not delivered in a timely manner, resulting in thousands of cases of trench foot and frostbite.He was made Major General just before the D-Day landings in June 1944. He was responsible for the complex and difficult task of supplying the allied troops for the invasion of mainland Europe. The US Army Quartermaster Foundation gives the following details, “After a successful landing on D-Day, a stalled drive inland and failure to capture port facilities right away meant that Quartermaster supply soldiers had to continue bringing material in over the beach: sort, store and distribute it along a fairly narrow and dangerous front. If Littlejohn felt good about the initial landing, he was none the less surprised by the effects of strenuous fighting in the Normandy hedgerows. In a matter of weeks, U.S. troops slugging it out in the mud consumed roughly 2 1/2 times the amount of clothing and other Quartermaster items of equipment that he and his staff had planned for. “The capture of each hedgerow meant a life and death race,” he noted afterwards; and in trimming down to meet that race, the American soldier “frequently left behind his overcoat, overshoes, blanket and shelter.” As a result, Littlejohn had to completely re-equip the better part of a million soldiers while still in the early stages of the campaign. The breakout and pursuit that followed only intensified pressure on the Chief Quartermaster, who saw the overall supply picture go from feast to famine. The situation in late summer and early Autumn 1944 illustrated the old adage that a stationary front is the Quartermaster’s dream come true, while a war of unchecked manoeuvre poses as the ultimate nightmare. By September the Allies were required to deliver to forward areas no less than 20,000 tons of supplies daily. As the lines stretched further and further from Cherbourg, the inevitable shortages began to be felt-with crippling effect. Whether it could have been otherwise is debatable. Letters from Littlejohn to a colleague in mid-September give some indication of the trials faced during this period of “frantic resupply:” “It is very difficult,” he wrote, “to sit here and determine current requirements on clothing and equipage. We know that the Maintenance Factors on many items are entirely too low. We also hope that the war will come to an end before many weeks and it will not be necessary to ship troops as originally planned. Somewhere in the field I must make an educated guess.”Littlejohn was discharged from the army in 1946. President Truman appointed him head of War Assets Administration with the responsibility of approximately 34 billion dollars of surplus government property. He died on the 6th May 1982 and is buried at Arlington Military Cemetery. This helmet was gifted to the current vendor back in the 1950’s by a family friend, who had worked as a secretary in Major General Littlejohn’s office. She took the helmet shell from the office as it was left behind when Littlejohn moved. She was using the helmet to store knitting material in. The helmet has never been offered on the collecting market before.

WW2 American M1 Helmet Grouping of Normandy Invasion Interest, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, being a front seam M-1 steel helmet with rough textured paint finish to the exterior of the shell. Blue painted winged boot insignia to both sides of the helmet. Rear of the shell with thick white strip. Complete with the webbing chinstrap fittings. Interior rear is painted in white “6 HQ 2-“. Accompanied by a stars and stripes American national flag and a wooden box with plaque to the lid which reads “NORMANDY BEACH FRANCE AUG.13.1944”, inside the box is a original invasion stars and stripes flag arm patch, finger ring, badges and other pieces. Sadly no part of the grouping has a name, so are not able to unattributed the grouping. Purchased by the current vendor all together. The date of August 1944, might indicate that the original owner was a replacement or joined 508th after the invasion? Interesting small grouping. The 508th P.I.R were heavily involved in operations in North West Europe, jumping into Normandy on 6th June 1944, tasked with securing Saint-Mere-Eglise and the river crossings. They suffered very heavy casualties, with only 995 paratroopers out of the 2056 who jumped into Normandy returning. The 508th PIR were awarded a presidential citation for their part in Operation Overlord. The unit re-equipped in the UK and later took part in Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge. PLEASE NOTE THIS LOT IS STORED IN THE USA, THE LOT WILL BE SHIPPED FROM THE USA. ALL ITEMS STORED IN THE USA WILL BE SHIPPED AFTER MONDAY 15TH AUGUST 2022. PLEASE READ INFORMATION ABOUT LOTS STORED IN THE USA ON THE AUCTION INFORMATION PAGE AND IN OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE.

North Vietnamese Army (N.V.A) Pith Helmet, fine green cloth covered pith helmet with badge to the centre. Top of the helmet with drawn artwork showing a Viet Cong soldier with flag and drawn map of the country, scroll with “DUNG SI GIU NUOG”. Liner loose to the interior. Some flaking to the interior.

Falklands War Argentine Steel Combat Helmet, good example of retaining all of its original rough textured dark green paint combat finish to the shell. Complete with the original fibre shell retaining green webbing straps and metal hooks. Leather sweatband remains in generally good condition. Original owners name appears to be inked to the liner system.  Good combat worn example. 

WW2 Royal Air Force Foreign Service Helmet, fine example of a WW2 period foreign service helmet with folded cloth pagri having RAF coloured pagri flash to the side. Interior retains the original sweatband which is impressed with tailors derails and dated 1942. Silver foil to the interior of the helmet. Complete with the thin brown leather chinstrap. Helmet is accompanied by the original owners RAF enlisted ranks forage cap with brass cap badge. Both items generally good condition. (2 items)

British Overseas Airways Corporation Rescue Steel Helmet, interesting blue painted British helmet shell with crude white painted “R” above “B.O.A.C” to the centre. Helmet is complete with a 1943 dated liner system and a webbing chinstrap. Helmet shows some wear. The British Overseas Airways Corporation was formed in 1939.

Very Rare WW1 British “Hypo” Smoke Helmet, being a mint un-issued example produced in the blue / grey flannel shirt cloth material. The front of the helmet has the original mica eye lens and behind this the wooden protective block still sewen into the helmet to protect the eye lens. Just some very light staining in areas and fold marks. These smoke hoods were the first to be introduced to British troops in 1915. The hoods were impregnated with chemicals and moistened which was efficient in neutralising the effects of the poison gas. The hood would simply be tucked into the collar of the soldiers tunic. The later types of Hypo helmet had screw-in metal eye pieces as the mica lenses were prone to damage, which would then make the hood useless as protection. See page 152-153 of “Campaign 1915 – Uniforms & Equipment of the British Servicemen in the First World War” by Chris Pollendine.

Rare WW1 British P-Type Gas Tube Helmet, being made in the correct double layer of flannel cloth material and the interior being lined in a pyjama striped cloth. Helmet is fitted with the original metal eye pieces which have rusted and left stained imprints on the cloth when it has been folded. Helmet also has the original metal and rubber topped valve for breathing which continues inside the hood and the rubber mouth piece still present. To the lower section of the hood appears to be an ink stamp “P12” running diagonally. The hood shows some wear and has some rusting stains and a couple of small holes. These early gas protection items are extremely rare to find, with many reproductions to be found on the collecting market. These helmets were quickly introduced to replace the earlier Hypo helmet. They were constructed with two layers of the flannel cloth so that the helmet could have more chemicals added. The introduction of the tube valve was also to help the British soldier breathe easier during a gas attack. They were called “P” helmets because of the chemicals used to impregnate them, sodium phenolate and glycerin, which protected against chlorine and phosgene. Although at the time of production the Germans had not used these chemicals, British intelligence believed a attack with them was imminent so this led to the pre-emptive development. See page 154-155 of “Campaign 1915 – Uniforms & Equipment of the British Servicemen in the First World War” by Chris Pollendine.

Otto Von Bismarck Character Porcelain Stein, fine example of the 0.5 litre stein in the form of head of the German leader with cuirassier helmet as the lid. Pewter fittings to the rear. The example is in a coloured glaze. Appears to be the remains of a makers mark to the underneath. Some light wear and crazing to the glaze.

Imperial German Uhlan Regiment Commemorative Smoking Pipe, fine large multipiece smoking pipe which unscrews. Regimental details to the centre of the pipe. Complete with the porcelain pipe bowl with military scenes. Pipe bowl top in the form of a Prussian Uhlan helmet. Generally good condition.

Imperial German Infantry Regiment Nr99 Smoking Pipe Bowl, fine quality porcelain smoking pipe bowl with hand painted decoration, central figure of Kaiser Wilhelm II, rear section with list of names and regimental details. Pewter and gilt brass top in the form of a pickelhaube helmet. Some light wear to the paint work but generally still good condition.

Imperial German Garde du Corps Eagle Top Presentation Piece, being a eagle from the Garde du Corps officers helmet, missing the crown, mounted onto a brass base and then a wooden plinth with a silver (not marked) plaque which is engraved “Kaiser und Konig Wilhelm II dem Sieger bein Preisreiten des Regiments der Gardes du Corps 23 Juni 1902”. Stands 36cms. We believe this not to be very old and not a period item. Offered just as a display piece for any Imperial collector.

Paul Meybauer Manufacturers Folio for Imperial German Helmet Plates and Shoulder Strap Ciphers, interesting card folio with printed to the front cover, “Die Helmwappen und Namenszuge der Deutschen Armee”. Makers details and address then also added to the front. Inside contains four large format prints with the various helmet plates of the Imperial German army and the ciphers of the various regiments etc.

WW1 German M-15 Bavarian Pickelhaube Helmet Plate, good field grey helmet plate in the form of the Bavarian arms. Complete with one of the loop fittings to the reverse. Still much of the field grey paint finish remains.