Bidspirit auction | Very Old British London City

Very Old British London City Police Bobby Helmet - This is a very old late 19th-early 20th Century Bobby helmet. The body appears to be all cork with fine felt exterior and a black oil cloth lining with leather sweatband with drawstring. The outside band is ribbed with two small decorative rosettes holding it in place. The original leather chinstrap has crinkle pattern and is complete. The helmet badge is blackened brass and says ”Metropolitan Police” and the royal cypher has been removed and replaced with ”69” held in place with screwback posts. The condition is fair with misshaping, damage to inside brim and edge and is very dusty. This my be one of the earliest Bobby helmet. It has no maker's marks or size marks. This should clean up and it just reeks of Sherlock Holmes stories and is very rare indeed.