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The Civilian Protective Helmet (CPH) was designed specifically for use by civilians during the Second World War. The nickname – Zuckerman – was taken from one of its inventors, Solly Zuckerman (it remains uncertain if this name was used during the war years); the other designers were Hugh Cairns and Derman Christopherson.  The Civilian Protective Helmet - Zuckerman - being introduced in February 1941 to the general public In October of 1940 the Ministry of Home Security noted the need for a new helmet for use by civilians. The CPH was chosen as the helmet to go in manufacture. The helmet was to be offered to the general public and businesses and the CPH would later became the main helmet issued to the Fire Guard Organisation of volunteer firefighters. Production commenced towards the end of 1940 and progressed into 1941 (though 1940-dated examples are much harder to find). The Treasury signed off on the expenditure of some £2,050,000 in November 1941 for the manufacture of a further 10,050,000 CPHs. The helmet was introduced in February 1941 (see publicity photo above) and general distribution appears to have commenced from mid-1941. Documents detail several names for the helmet being initially utilised: Industrial Helmet, Civilian Type Helmet, Alpine Helmet, Civilian Steel Helmet, New Protective Helmet, Civilian Grade 3, Steel Helmet-Home Security Pattern and of course ultimately the Civilian Protective Helmet. The high crown was designed to crumple under impact from falling debris. No chinstrap was issued (although two strap loops were fitted which differed in design across the manufacturers). A large number of manufacturers are seen on liners issued. The liner’s design and positioning were such that a chinstrap was not considered necessary (although several commercial chinstraps were for sale). The small holes in the brim, front and back, were used to run a wire through, holding piles of 10 helmets together for transit or storage. The holes around the crown were slightly angled enabling the helmet to sit lower at the rear. However, period photos often see the helmet worn back-to-front but it was more comfortable for the wearer (especially for women with a lot of hair). The helmet came in three parts: the shell, the liner (available in six sizes) and a lace to hold one to the other. The lace was threaded through the holes in the helmet and loops on the liner. It was a simple process that avoided the need to use helmet bolts and more expensive helmet liners. There was also an instruction leaflet on the assembly and fitting of the helmet.  Leaflet included with the Civilian Protective Helmet (Zuckerman) The helmets were made in two sizes either marked M (medium) or L (large) with three liners in different sizes for each helmet size. Several manufacturers received orders to produce the helmets causing different rims: rolled under, rolled up and a separate rim strip (the latter made by Rubery Owen).
Distribution demands were enormous and records suggest that whilst manufacture commenced in 1941 it took until early to mid-1942 for the helmets to be finally issued. It was sold to the general public for five shillings and sixpence. The slow release was caused by issues over pricing, who should pay (businesses or their staff), ordering processes, transport, storage and prioritisation. CPHs were issued in one colour only – grey – but many were painted white with black bands added for ranks within the Fire Guard Organisation. Some helmets carry the names and logos of companies as part of their ARP commitment. A great number of CPHs can be found marked with “FG” (Fire Guard) or “SFP” (Street or Supplementary Fire Party). Before manufacture ceased some 10 million Civilian Protective Helmets had been produced. Archives also show that consideration was given to a CPH being used as a helmet and visor. Two eye holes were to be drilled 2½ inches apart above the brim and the helmet was to be pulled down over the forehead. This idea was discontinued as it was felt that the improved frontal protection left the rear of the head dangerously exposed. When the Government was looking at plastic as a possible helmet solution, experiments were undertaken with plastic CPHs and at one stage coloured plastics were even considered with pink being suggested “for the ladies”. The plastic CPHs did not progress when it became clear that the new production processes were slow and costly. To date, no examples of the coloured plastic test CPH models appear to have survived. Whilst the CPH is generally overlooked by helmet collectors it is regularly found on Second World War Home Front re-enactor displays. Overall, although not one of the best-looking helmets produced during the war, it no doubt saved many lives. I am obliged to Adrian Blake for content and Nigel Abram for the images.
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Guest blogger Adrian Blake asks a question about non-metal Home Front helmets. For nearly fifty years, I’ve been often told that non-metal Tommy-style helmets were specifically made for use in armaments factories. This is heard along the lines of ”they don’t spark you see” and were therefore safe to wear when working with explosives. The basis of this myth is this: if you were wearing your helmet when filling a large calibre shell, and your helmet somehow managed to fall off, and said helmet somehow managed to strike something metal and then send a spark from that strike into the explosive…you get the idea. I’ve met so many people who have been told by someone whose grandparents told them this story, but that’s not proof, it’s hearsay. The armaments factory slash non-metal helmet myth is now an oft-repeated mantra. So, the case is closed... or is it? Now, non-metal helmets were available in the early years of the Second World War such as the “Plasfort” or “Cromwell”. These brand names have become synonymous with almost any non-metal helmet of the period.
For years I have been looking for proof that non-metal helmets were made specifically for the ordnance industries. However, to date, I’ve not seen any documents to support this claim. The best I can say to support the argument is that it’s highly likely that non-metal helmets did find their way into hundreds of factories and that some of the factories may have been responsible for weapons manufacture. I’ve not yet found a single government memo or bulletin insisting that all workers must wear a non-metal helmet (be it plastic-, paper-, wood chip- or rag pulp-based). Let’s assume, for a moment, that the government didn’t commission any companies to manufacture non-metal helmets. Is it possible that several companies simply saw a gap in the market and decided to fill it? After Dunkirk, Britain had to use metal wisely to rebuild the Army and as a result, the government stopped all commercial sales of metal helmets to the public. Up to this point, anyone could have popped into a shop and bought themselves a tin helmet. Entrepreneurial firms were looking for uses for new materials and these ranged from Bakelite and other new plastics to what seemed to some like paper-mâché (wastepaper pulp mixed with glue and other additives). As a result, several Tommy-shaped head-protectors hit the market – some had product names like Plasfort and Cromwell whilst others are now unattributable to a specific manufacturer as they are completely unmarked. Advertisements were placed in newspapers and magazines stressing the strength and lightness of these new wonder materials and assuring buyers that the helmets could be easily decontaminated. But if non-conductivity and anti-sparking were key features of these exciting new products, that simply wasn’t being covered in the adverts. I’ve yet to see a single advert mention this. I’m beginning to wonder if non-metal helmets were just helmets for anyone and everyone. Manufacturers saw a market opportunity; they had products that they were constantly looking for extra applications for; they wanted additional income streams; and they had to take into consideration government sanctions. Surely, if the non-sparking helmet was a thing we’d see adverts for the new “Sparko-Stop” helmet or the exciting new “Anti-Electro-Helmet” wouldn’t we? I’ve seen period photographs of plastic helmets worn by smiling factory workers. But also by repair party workers, milkmen, shopkeepers even children but I’m keen to prove or disprove the myth behind these being primarily for ordnance workers. But who’s spreading and reinforcing this myth? I’m afraid it appears to be us: the collectors, the re-enactors, the dealers, the online sellers, the amateur historians. So there must be proof right? Why are we repeating this myth without evidence to support it? I think there’s a much more interesting fact-based narrative around these helmets than the current (unproven) non-sparking one. We know this was a period of new material development, we know these helmets were commercially-available items, we know they filled a gap when metal was scarce, we know how businesses work and we even know that Zuckerman helmets could have been made of plastic (there’s evidence of trials). So, there we go. If you have evidence (a document or an advert) to prove the myth behind the non-sparking helmet, please leave a comment. Please note: the leather Mark II-shaped helmet is a different kettle of fish altogether.  Protecto-Splint helmet advert A diagram of the helmets and insignia worn by Civil Defence personnel in London early in the war. I'm unsure of the source of this and the helmets, esp. the white ones, don't follow the listed ranks for some posts = esp. the thin and wide bars for Post Warden and Deputy Post Warden. Also, I've not come across the sleeve insignia of a Deputy Post Warden designated by the absence of a diamond.  Early War Civil Defence Helmets & Insignia in London Coming up at auction at South Dorset Auctions is a fabulous group of medals and ephemera belonging to Dr Horatio Sparling MBE. Dr Horatio Sparling was the local Divisional Surgeon for the St. John Ambulance before volunteering as a Medical Officer (MO) with the Civil Defence organisation at the beginning of the second world war. Based in East Croydon, the decorated veteran of the first world war received an MBE for his work saving casualties following a V1 rocket attack. His MBE was gazetted in December 1944.  Amongst the lots are several photos showing Sparling in his CD uniform. His two-diamond, white helmet with M.O. and A.R.P. is most unusual. Also present is a photo of him wearing a peaked cap, but the cap badge is hard to discern. Dr Sparling died in 1965 at the age of 77.  Dr Horatio Sparling - Croydon Medical Officer  Dr Horatio Sparling - Medal Grouping A similar design of helmet carrier has previously appeared on this blog but this one is in much better condition. This has additional loops for a shoulder strap to the rear but also maintains the leather cross strap for attaching the carrier to a respirator haversack. A Zuckerman helmet appears to fit in the carrier exactly.
 Canvas And Leather Trim Helmet Carrier - Zuckerman Helmet |
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