Belgian army motorcycle helmet Model 1938

The Belgian Army Motorcycle Helmet Model 1938 (commonly referred to as the "Cromwell" type) from the early post-war period.

Origin and Development

• Model 1937: During the motorization of the Belgian Cavalry Corps, a civilian British helmet from the well-known brand "Cromwell" was initially purchased.
• Model 1938: The official military successor was produced by the Belgian company Levior. The name "Cromwell" was colloquially retained for this model.

Technical Features

• Material: Manufactured from vulcanized fibers (an early type of plastic), making the helmet very lightweight.
• Color: Originally finished in a green army color.
• Lining: Equipped with a leather and canvas inner lining and a sturdy leather chin strap.
• Ear Protection: Fitted with leather flaps to protect the ears against wind and engine noise.

Post-War Use (Gendarmerie)

After the Second World War, this type of helmet remained in use until around 1965 by the Belgian Gendarmerie (Highway Patrol), which fell under the Belgian military at the time. The Gendarmerie version can be recognized by its completely black color with a red trim (beading) around the edge.