Original British WWII King’s Crown “Rosetop” Essex Constabulary “Blackout” Bobby Police Helmet Christy’s of London - Size 7 1/8

Original Item. Only One Available. The Traditional Bobby helmet was named after the creator of the British Police Force, Sir Robert Peel, who became Prime Minister under Queen Victoria. This early version, known as a "Rose Top," features a blacked brass top fitting, in the shape of a rose, hence the name. The front Helmet plate has a King's Crown to top, over a starburst. There is a circle around the cypher which reads ESSEX CONSTABULARY.

The helmet is in good overall condition, with a great original leather sweatband and chinstrap, but the chinstrap has broken off from one side and is exhibiting very heavy cracking and crazing. The underside of the sweatband is marked for size 7 ⅛.

Completely authentic to the WWII Period In very good condition, ready to display!

Essex Constabulary was formed in 1840. In 1965, the force had an establishment of 1,862 officers. Southend-on-Sea Borough Police was established by the county borough of Southend-on-Sea, England, in 1914. In 1969, Southend-on-Sea Borough Police amalgamated with Essex Constabulary to become the Essex and Southend-on-Sea Joint Constabulary. This merger was campaigned against by the council and the local MPs. Colchester, at one time, also had its own police force.

The title was shortened to Essex Police in 1974. On 1 April 2000, Essex Police's boundary expanded further south-west, taking on the populated areas of Loughton, Waltham Abbey, Chigwell and Buckhurst Hill from the Metropolitan Police, a result of boundary changes to the Metropolitan Police District for it to match Greater London's boundaries. Epping Forest Keepers act as Epping Forest constables in the Forest parishes in the south-west of the Essex Police area; they have different powers from those of the Essex Police.