During the second world war the Air Raid Wardens were responsible for ensuring people were accounted for, enforcing the blackout, etc. They provided a vital role on the home front.
This is a genuine Air Raid Warden helmet. On the underside of the rim it is stamped ''41'' which presumably refers to 1941. On the other side is stamped ''M'' which presumably is for Medium size. It has the odd scratch and small dent as you would expect for an item from this period and with this history. They normally had a white W painted on the front, although this one doesn't have that. It has the inner lining straps, although is missing the chin strap. The black and white photo just illustrates the use of this type of helmet (it is not this actual helmet in the picture!).