I have 2, a repainted army shell and a green navy missing the insignia. On the army shell, the maker stamp looks like a 5-point star with kanji in it. Daido Steel? The navy green one looks like crossed cannons? Is there a chart somewhere of maker marks? Thanks! 

And I assume the Army shell was repainted with that tan paint. Best way to strip it off? 

So having no patience, I took paint thinner and steel wool to the shell and the spray paint melted right off. Unfortunately, the paint covered surface rust so it will need additional work to clean up. I understand these were primed in black? 

It’s now stripped, black primer next. 

After priming the inside I noticed a stamp, 204. Lot number maybe? Never noticed it before now. 

Oof. That is NOT brown. It looks like Dijon mustard. Dang it True Value, glad I only spent $7 for that paint. 

Ok, added a thin layer of chestnut brown, looks ok. Turns out the liner kit I bought doesn’t fit. 

 

Here’s an original I found online for comparison. 

 

Unlike TR lids I've never seen a Japanese helmet with a lot number, yes Diado steel, and crossed cannons is Osaka. I think one or both of these lids were reissued post war and they are both large size. They were also primed in orange. Always post photos first before stripping any paint,you can't undo mistakes when stripping helmets only ruin them!!

You may have stripped off the original paint and primer off lid #2, ouch! 😱

Hey, thanks for the comment! No, the navy lid is in original green paint and I have not touched that one, I only stripped the tan spray painted army shell. The green Navy helmet was a Vet bring back, he was detailed to bury the dead on Saipan after the battle, wish it still had the insignia on it! 

Judging by the paint inside of the IJN helmet it may have been a gray shipboard helmet at one time and the two characters painted there are l to r 2,9

Thanks for that info! 

Finally got the liner and chin straps installed. Came out ok, I do like the black primer showing when the paint gets scratched off.  With flash and without. 

Looks nice, and the primer does add a nice element. The star should be the same color as the helmet though.    Scott

11 hours ago, ScottG said:

Looks nice, and the primer does add a nice element. The star should be the same color as the helmet though.    Scott

I get that, the star and rivets were repainted after assembly, but I like the contrast. Thanks for the comment! 

Trying to photograph helmets and headgear using their nation’s flag as a backdrop. Original period rayon Hinomaru (日の丸). 

Discovered Daido Steel is still in business in Nagoya and they still use the same logo (taken from their website 
www.daido.co.jp). 

Good job, it looks nice,maybe try doing the "stripe" around the helmet with a lighter shade of paint over the star and pin heads, just a suggestion 😉

I might do that, thanks! Give it that “camo” that really isn’t.