Air Raid Helmet & Whistle
Date1939-1945
MediumSteel, leather, plastic
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions: 13 × 12 × 6 × 9 1/4in. (33 × 30.5 × 15.2 × 23.5cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Paul Auner
DescriptionWorld War II Air Raid Warden steel helmet (.1) and attached whistle (.2) originally belonging to Anna Bellizzi. The helmet crown is a rounded oval shape with an ovular brim and is painted off-white. At the center front portion of the helmet's head, there is a blue circle with a red and white striped triangle, a symbol indicating the wearer is a Civil Defense Air Raid Warden. There are six equidistant rivets visible on the outside of the helmet just above the brim, these rivets hold the olive drab twill woven straps that make up the interior hatband and crown structure. These twill woven straps have eyelets and ties to account for proper fit. There is a brown leather portion of the interior hatband at the center front. The interior of the helmet has a yellow and black sticker reading, “Property of the U. S. Gov’t/ O.C.D HTFD” The underside of the helmet brim features a metal bracket on both the proper left and right sides, the woven adjustable chin strap is attached to these brackets, the chin strap features a snap closure for removal. The black molded plastic Scotty’s Toys brand whistle (.2) is attached to the helmet’s chin strap with a metal chain. The whistle has a small white ball in the main chamber to create the tone when blown.
Object number2018.6.1-.2
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