Original Items: Only One Set Available. This is a set of 2 British Northumbria and Gloucestershire Police Helmets that were Formerly Part the Tower of London Yeoman Warder’s Club Collection  that were Formerly part of the decoration of the Yeoman Warder’s Club at the Tower of London. Please see photos for details.
 
IMA recently acquired a collection of headgear from the Yeoman Warder’s (aka “Beefeaters”) Club located at the Tower of London. The club has a strict policy of allowing only members of the Yeoman Warders and their guests entry. It has become a tradition over the years for visiting guests with any current or prior military or police service to leave one of their pieces of headgear. Over the years this collection has grown too large, leaving the Warders to liquidate the collection to IMA! Making this quite an exclusive offering!
 
Included in this collection are the following:
 
Cumbria Constabulary “Rose Top'' Helmet: This early version, known as a "Rose Top," features a plated top fitting, in the shape of a rose, hence the name. The front Helmet plate has a Queen's Crown to top, over a starburst containing a silver E II R Royal Cypher, for Queen Elizabeth II, who has reigned since 1952. There is a circle around the cypher which reads CUMBRIA / CONSTABULARY. The helmet is approximately size 59. There is a marking in the foam padding which reads: CHRISTY/GUARDIAN, and is rigged with its Riot Gear liner with web chin strap, retaining its Riot Chin "Cup". The helmet is in near perfect condition.
 
Cumbria Constabulary is the territorial police force in England covering Cumbria. As of September 2017, the force had 1,108 police officers, 535 police staff, 93 police community support officers, and 86 special constables.
 
The force serves a population of 500,000 across an area of 2,634 square miles (6,820 km2). There are significant areas of isolated and rural communities, and the county has one of the smallest visible minority ethnic populations in the country at under 3.0%. Each year Cumbria, which incorporates the Lake District National Park, attracts over 23 million visitors from all over the world (46 times the local population). The county has 67 miles (108 km) of motorway and some 700 miles (1,100 km) of trunk and primary roads.
 
Cumberland and Westmorland Constabulary was formed in 1856. In 1947 this force absorbed Kendal Borough Police. Less than 20 years later this amalgamated force absorbed Carlisle City Police to form a force broadly the same as today's force called the Cumberland, Westmorland and Carlisle Constabulary. In 1965, it had an establishment of 652 and an actual strength of 617. In 1967 the force name was changed to Cumbria Constabulary.
 
In 1974 the force's boundaries were expanded to include the new non-metropolitan county of Cumbria, in particular Furness and Sedbergh Rural District.
 
The Home Secretary proposed on 6 February 2006 to merge it with Lancashire Constabulary. These proposals were accepted by both forces on 25 February and the merger would have taken place on 1 April 2007. However, in July 2006, the Cumbria and Lancashire forces decided not to proceed with the merger because the Government could not remedy issues with the differing council tax precepts.
 
Dorset Police “Comb Top” Helmet: The front Helmet plate has a "Queen's Crown" to top, over a starburst, with DORSET / POLICE in the circle. In the center is the E II R monogram of Queen Elizabeth II, the current reigning Queen of the United Kingdom.
 
The helmet interior is rigged with its Riot Gear liner with web chin strap, retaining it's Riot Chin "Cup." The Helmet also is fitted with i's everyday patent leather chin strap as well.  The original label is still present, we can just make out that this is a size 58 helmet.
 
The Dorset Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing the county of Dorset in the south-west of England, which includes the largely rural area covered by Dorset Council, and the urban conurbation of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
 
The force covers an area of 1,024 square miles (2,650 km2) with a population of 774,000, which increases in the tourist season.
 
Dorset County Constabulary was formed in 1855. In 1965, it had an establishment of 544 and an actual strength of 466. On 1 October 1967, it merged with Bournemouth Borough Police to form Dorset and Bournemouth Constabulary.
 
On 1 April 1974, this force took over some areas (mainly Christchurch and its hinterland) from Hampshire Constabulary and acquired its present name of Dorset Police.

Dorset Police was formerly responsible to the Dorset Police Authority, which was replaced in 2012 by an elected Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC). As of May 2021, the PCC is David Sidwick, who is an independent politician. Dorset Police often work with other organisations to assist in emergencies, such as Dorset Search and Rescue, who assist in the search and recovery of missing persons.
 
History of the Custodian “Bobby” Helmet
The custodian helmet is the headgear traditionally worn by male police constables and sergeants while on foot patrol in England and Wales. Officers of all ranks in most forces are also issued a flat, peaked cap that is worn on mobile patrol in a vehicle. Ranks above sergeant wear the peaked cap only. However, some Inspectors wear the Custodian Helmet, but with two silver bands around the base (to match the two pips worn as rank insignia) to denote their position.
 
Claimed by some sources to have been based on the spiked pickelhaube worn by the Prussian Army, it was first adopted by the London Metropolitan Police in 1863 to replace the "stovepipe" top hat worn since 1829. In 1863, the Metropolitan Police replaced the previous uniform of white trousers, swallow-tailed coat and top hat in favour of very dark blue trousers, a more modern button up tunic and the early type of helmet which had an upturned brim at the front and a raised spine at the back, running from the bottom to the top of the helmet, which became known as the "cockscomb".