Cuban Lobstertail

Helmetz

Helmetz

Active member
A rather uncommon helmet, I know of four - two complete and one a rough partial, and one being for the most part a shell posted on here a long while ago. There is not a ton of information out there on these and period pictures are pretty much non-existent.

They were said to be worn by Cuban Police in the 1920's and 30's, and I would imagine for honor guard, parade, or ceremonial purposes. I further imagine most or nearly all of them were tossed into the ocean or buried so as not to be discovered in households during the communist revolution and purges.

Anyway, I was happy to acquire this one. This one is completely uncleaned and as found. Curiously, there are tiny red spots that look like rust and upon removing one I found them to be residue of some type of reddish paste wax. Moistened a small spot and a wiped with a cloth I found beneath a uniform clouded wax coating, the exterior surface is bright chrome like in appearance. I'm sure it would clean up spectacularly, but as a rule I'm always a bit hesitant to mess with things.

If anyone knows more about these, please feel free to share as an any and all addition information is greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
John


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MAP said:
No zero about these but really neat item. Although it must have been hot as heck wearing it in the hot Cuban sun.
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Thanks for your comments Michael, much appreciated. Nobody knows all that much about these, although one member was most helpful in sharing what is known.
 
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Helmetz said:
A rather uncommon helmet, I know of three, one being for the most part a shell posted on here a long while ago. There is not a ton of information out there on these and period pictures are pretty much non-existent.

They were said to be worn by Cuban Police in the 1920's and 30's, and I would imagine for honor guard, parade, or ceremonial purposes. I further imagine most or nearly all of them were tossed into the ocean or buried so as not to be discovered in households during the communist revolution and purges.

Anyway, I was happy to acquire this one. This one is completely uncleaned and as found. Curiously, there are tiny red spots that look like rust and upon removing one I found them to be residue of some type of reddish paste wax. Moistened a small spot and a wiped with a cloth I found beneath a uniform clouded wax coating, the exterior surface is bright chrome like in appearance. I'm sure it would clean up spectacularly, but as a rule I'm always a bit hesitant to mess with things.

If anyone knows more about these, please feel free to share as an any and all addition information is greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
John


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I wonder if the German shops made the helmets for them?
It appears that the metal scale chin straps are for show only,
as there is also a leather chin strap
Steve
 
KAGGR#1 said:
I wonder if the German shops made the helmets for them?
It appears that the metal scale chin straps are for show only,
as there is also a leather chin strap
Steve
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Thank you for your comments, Steve, much appreciated. The quality and workmanship is definitely there and I also wonder if they were produced in Germany or by German craftsmen. The body is aluminum and agree that the metal scale chinstrap is most likely for show. Haven't been able to find any period pictures of them being worn. I imagine photographs were likely destroyed by either those in them or those that seized power. I keep hoping to find an old newspaper photo of them in use.

There was also a "finial"or holder of some sort that inserts into the spike that would hold horsehair or feathers.

John
 
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Wonderful helmet John! Like you, I hope some day to find a period pic of one in wear, or come across the regulations pertaining to them. They are certainly German-made...
 
Arran said:
Wonderful helmet John! Like you, I hope some day to find a period pic of one in wear, or come across the regulations pertaining to them. They are certainly German-made...
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Thanks Arran, I appreciate the info you came up with, very much appreciated. I've not found a maker's mark. There are two round strikes or indents in the forward crown. There is also a course thick and wide green felt on inside the headband. Has a round sticker with a pencil mark of 57 with the strike through the seven, likely size 57.
 
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Helmetz said:
Thanks Arran, I appreciate the info you came up with, very much appreciated. I've not found a maker's mark. The are two round strikes or indents in the forward crown. There is also a course thick and wide green felt on inside the headband. Has a round sticker with a pencil mark of 57 with the strike through the seven, likely size 57.
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Hi John- can you show us a pic of what you're speaking of?
 
Sure, looks like the imprints are from the outside. Perhaps a makers mark or an indexing mark. Possibly a makers mark that struck deeper into the aluminum than it would have in steel. The impressions are raised in the interior crown and are very much under the spike base plate.
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b.loree said:
Quite a surprise to see that even the Cubans copied German headdresses for their troops. 👍
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Didn’t everyone Brian, or at least those that recognized style and quality.

I’m betting these when made for the Cubans by German craftsmen.
 
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John:

Very interesting item for sure. My money is they were made in Germany using existing dies at least for the shells,

I'd bet my next pay cheque (easy for me to say now that I'm retired) that there are photos in newspaper archives.

If these were for ceremonial and state occasions there would undoubtedly have been photos in which they appear in the background. Trick is you'd have to find a local willing to pore through Havana newspapers archives.
 
Steve Nick said:
John:

Very interesting item for sure. My money is they were made in Germany using existing dies at least for the shells,

I'd bet my next pay cheque (easy for me to say now that I'm retired) that there are photos in newspaper archives.

If these were for ceremonial and state occasions there would undoubtedly have been photos in which they appear in the background. Trick is you'd have to find a local willing to pore through Havana newspapers archives.
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I have got a Belgian friend living there, I ll ask him.
 
Steve Nick said:
John:

Very interesting item for sure. My money is they were made in Germany using existing dies at least for the shells,
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Probably right. But the spine is something I have never seen before. Makes my think (fot the design, not the form) of the crest on adrians....
The side posts, make me think of uniform buttons.
 
Thanks for pointing out Colonel J's article JJ. Never saw that one before and I just spent the last half hour digesting it.
Surely that is good enough to merit being made a sticky article in the appropriate category? Pretty sure future members will need to see it at some point.
Steve
 
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