Bobby on the Beat: a History of the Custodian Helmet
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- Опубликовано: 11 сен 2024
- Iconic headgear of many officers of the British police forces, the Custodian Helmet has become something of a symbol of the United Kingdom itself, appearing in many representations and custural works. Surviving multiple attempts to phase it out, it remains the distinguishing mark of the Bobby on the Beat
Version française : • In the Name of the Law...
The hat I'm wearing was found on majorsurplus.c...
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This video was done for entertainment and educational purposes. No copyright infringement of any sort was intended.
I know that there aren't as many English viewers compared to the French ones, for reasons that escape me, but I must say that these videos are nonetheless highly appreciated and great sources of information.
Maybe... But there are also French viewers who can decently speak and understand english... Like me, for example ! I Always watch the two versions and equally appreciate both. And I recommend all those who can to watch french and english versions... double pleasure !
Gosh...I'm American, so maybe a phreak?
I'm English, and watch both versions to improve my French.
Unfortunately I'm English, so we all know it won't work, and my French will always be terrible.
@@luckybag6814 Don't be so pessimistic, why shouldn't it work ?
Huh? What difference does it make what the proportion of French and English viewers are? You're either interested in this topic or you aren't. You either understand English or you don't. If you are interested in the topic and you can understand the speaker, it a) doesn't matter what country you're from and b) doesn't matter what country other viewers are from.
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 "coxcomb".
When I joined the Bedfordshire Special Constabulary I was issued with both a cap and a hemet. The helmet, unlike the cap, was particularly good when on foot patrol at keeping the rain from going down the back of your neck.
I noticed in pictures of the modified helmets some of them had a bit of a ducktail at the back . .
The cap was for traffic officers only.
@@glenndouglas8822 Real police get a proper helmet, then.
Traffic coppers are scum that don't even deserve the badge. Glorified cameramen.
Don't follow the worldly trends follow Jesus Christ today
There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today
Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell
Come to Jesus Christ today
Jesus Christ is only way to heaven
Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void
Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today
Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today
John 3:16-21
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Mark 1.15
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Hebrews 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Jesus
I used to wear a white custodian as a municipal policeman in Italy. It didn't mix well with cars (I hit my helmet against the door frame of my service car too many times for comfort),but it was brilliant for any other situation, particularly in the rain and snow or in the heat when signalling traffic. Public also liked it very much and you could tell that when wearing the helmet, instead of the peaked cap, they were respecting the wearer and trusting him more.
That is interesting that a police force in Italy would use them
@@OscarOSullivan : I am german. A few villages away, there was a small private Police Museum, owned by a now passed away elderly man. In his headgear collection there had been two italian items, a white helmet similar to british Pith Helmet and a bicorne of parade from Carabinierie.
And it was a great placed to keep your butties.
Don't follow the worldly trends follow Jesus Christ today
There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today
Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell
Come to Jesus Christ today
Jesus Christ is only way to heaven
Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void
Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today
Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today
John 3:16-21
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Mark 1.15
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Hebrews 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Jesus
I believe that the use in Britain declined as more officers started using police cars for patrolling or getting around. As you say, a tall helmet just doesn’t fit through a car door. Motorised coppers will usually wear peaked caps.
As a USAF brat whose Dad was stationed at RAF Wethersfield, we lived in Sible Hedingham, Essex from 1956 to 1958. Unlike here in the USA, today where we have no clue where millions of aliens reside, back then our village constable kept vigil on the status of us Yanks in his village. He sported this same evocative headwear as did my favourite television character, constable Dixon. Mr. Dixon was the friendly bobby of the old 1950s black-and-white telly program "Dixon of Dock Green."
Thanks for stirring up these fond old memories with your interesting history of their famous headgear. JJS
I used to wear the police "custodian" helmet as a London hobby many years ago. It is iconic worldwide yet rarely, very rarely, worn properly in movies even though they pay experts to ensure all aspects of uniforms are accurate. Police wearers of the helmet don it in such a way that the distance between the tip of the nose to the nearest part of the helmet equals the distance from the tip of the thumb to the first joint behind the thumb tip, about just over one inch. As a result little of the top part of the face is visible, perhaps deliberately making the wearer more impersonal. Even the presenter in this video wears the helmet way too far back.
Another common inaccuracy in movies is the wearing of the chin strap. Real police wearers never, never wear the strap under the chin. It rests below the lower lip above the chin or, if the helmet needs securing from wind or movement, it firmly grasps the tip of the chin. Under the chin it can present an easy means of strangulation. Of course, this does not apply to the thicker strapping on riot style helmets which are worn under the chin.
It always struck me as odd that these inaccuracies in the wearing of these helmets in movies is so universal.
The advisors and experts are often ignored by producers and directors. In Henry V (1944), they had Sir James Gow Mann as historical advisor about arms and armour. Sir James was one of the top authorities on the subject. He told Olivier that the myth of hoisting knights onto horses was just that, a myth. Yet, what do we see in the film...knights being hoisted by a crane onto horses.
My dad was one of the last RUC officers in Northern Ireland to be issued with one. By then they were only worn at night (so got called Night Helmets). His got stolen out of his locker but I was able to track down an identical one for his birthday once!
When did they stop using them?
I worked as a policeman in Birmingham (Alabama) in the 1990s. There was a photo of the B'ham police department, from around the turn of the (19th-20th) Century, in the main lobby, back then, about a hundred officers, all in double-breasted, tight fitting tunics, and all wearing the Custodian Helmet, circa 1901, I believe.
On Last of the Summer Wine, one Bobbie said that hat was good "because you could keep a whole tin of beans up there". Love that show
The coppers were the funniest of the lot.
😁👍
Ah, the Custodian helmet. One of my best friends wore one of these for about 30 years. The nickname for one of these helmets is: ‘the Tit’. I probably don’t need to explain why… 😀🤣
Looks nout like a small bird
Tit is short for Titfer, cockney rhyming slang tit for tat - hat.
Thank you for your service sir
I am too innocent to understand what you are implying. Please elbaorate.
A common term of abuse for the British Police is 'tithead'. Mind you, it's better than some of the other things they are called.
I was glad that you mentioned the American versions. It's a brief period of time when American police wore them and I absolutely love it.
Used to be worn in Ireland as well
And Australia and New Zealand
@@Jeansieguy : In some Swiss cantons, for example Basel, similar looking helmets, in grey colour, made of stiffened cloth/ textile/ fabric ( don't know english word for german , Stoff').Had been used into 1970s. Today only the ceremonial Police Escort of one canton uses it one time a Year during a traditional event.
@@OscarOSullivan And I suspect the reason it isn't, now, was to distance the new force, "The Gárda Síochána", or more colloquially, "The Guards" from their pre~independence British counterparts. Take note, though, that I'm just a civilian so my assertions might be a little sweeping.
@@brittakriep2938 English “stuff.”
The Washington DC Metropolitan Police also wore the Americanized Custodian Helmet. I think most of the old East coast cities did in the 1800's.
I absolutely love these! Well thought out and gracefully delivered! His English is incredible i was on my second video before i worked out he was French! 😅 and with an impressive complicated use of English, im sure if i was presented with such a tongue twisting script i would have to simplify before attempting it on camera! So brave or foolish please continue!
I'm half American so I have no merit, English is a native language too alongside French. But thank you!
@@hathistorianjc
Just need to work on that cockney accent. It’s terrible!
This video was a pleasant surprise, considering the custodian hat got a shout-out in the pith helmet video.
My dad’s summer job in college (1970s) was as a security guard at the amusement park Marriott’s Great America, and the uniform included the American variation of the hat. He’s always described it as a Keystone Cop hat.
Hon, wake up! The Hat Historian just dropped a new video!
I work for the Ambulance Service in the UK and so meet a lot of cops; they seem to wear this helmet only very rarely these days where I live. Regular officers tend to wear peaked caps if they wear anything at all, and armed police will often wear baseball caps, but mostly I see them without headgear at all.
That's because most police officers respond in cars now, which means peak cap is worn. The Custodian helmet is worn on foot beat.
A very comprehensive history and review of the Custodial Helmet
You always know exactly how to condense the history of each of these pieces of headwear to something both fully digestible and impressively thorough. Another great presentation!
I wore the helmet for many years. First the cork helmet then the plastic helmet with extra straps.
Weren't some made from rabbit skin?
Me too, when Cheshire issued the bump cap, mine went in the bin... I stuck to the helmet or flat cap.
thank you for your service
NO! NO! NO! The line is "'Ello, 'ello, 'ello. What's all this then?"
My mistake.
@@hathistorianjc
And ideally you should have finished with a salute and - "Mind how you go".
@@anthonyeaton5153
What do you call a woman police officer - Evelyn Hall.
@@Wotsitorlabart 😂
Or, in a more serious tone... "'Ere...I want a word with you."
As a wearer of this headgear for more years than I care to remember I came across this and thought I’d have a quick view just to see how wrong it could be. Well apologies all round, it was very well covered - can’t criticise it. I shall have to check out your other offerings now!
So many hats; so much great work on your part. Thank you as always for your dedication and attention to detail.
I wore one of these modern versions for 30 years….they’re horrible, and the modern nylon sweat band eventually causes sores on the forehead if worn long enough during the day. As a young constable, I tried my tutor’s old cork version…..it was wonderful in comparison whenever I got a chance, I reverted to a flat cap for daily wear, though senior officers tried to suppress that as we would beg or “acquire” them as they were not universal issue, (I begged mine from a ‘foreign’ force when out of county on a driving course).
Many years ago I had a friend who had been a Policy constable in Sheffield. On at least one occasion when returning to the station at the end of his shift he purchased a portion of fish and chips. It being inappropriate to carry his dinner he put jit on his head and concealed it beneath his helmet. The helmet had two ventilation holes on each side. The fish supper was warm, however the weather was cold and so the heat escaping from the ventilation holes created columns of vapour causing much amusement to onlookers. 😎
Thank you for the information and encouraging my hat obsession.
They don’t wear hats now,well ..... beany hats balaclava or peak caps,maybe but normally hatless to match the scuffy trousers and casual shirts and an array of unpolished shoes,in short they appear like tattooed scuffy partial in their duty thugs 😱😱
As you briefly referred to, the the custodian helmet's origins of the top hat is to make the wearer more visible at a distance, something a cap cannot achieve.
Which stems from the initial distrust of the idea of police - the "gentlemen" in parliament didn't want the police snooping into their business (and by extension everyone else's) so didn't allow the police to investigate crime for the first few years they existed, they could only deal with crime they saw happening in front of them. This mistrust also required officers to wear their uniforms 24/7,tbey distinguished if they were on duty by wearing a white and black striped "armlet" on their jacket cuff when on duty. This stopped the police from doing undercover investigations or sneaking up on people etc.
@@lloydcollins6337 : Being german, i Brittas boyfriend, am intressted in Police History of all countries between ca. 1800 and 1940. My question: Had there been a civilian dressed ,Detectives branch' of Police, when in ca. 1830s the Police ideas of Robert Peel ( not Emma Peel :-)) started, and the ,Peelers/ Bobbies' wore top hats? In my homeregion, current state Baden-Württemberg, which was in HRE time the most divided part of HRE, in late 18th/ early 19th century the Amtmänner ( administrative leaders of smallest districts) had also to do detectives duties, few successfull, but the Amtmann of Horb district was between 1790 and 1820 famous for police/deective work. In 18th/ early 19th century, in my homeregion , similar to modern private investigators , socalled Diebsfänger ( thieves catcher) existed.
Once again wrong the top hat served a more important job.
It was designed as the helmet was to protect the constables head and in the case of the top hat also was made with a stout wooden frame work inside it.
This was to facilitate the constable to be able to place his hat on the ground and stand on its top to see over the tops of crowds and walls.
That look of white shirt, black tie, dark tunic with silver buttons, topped with a custodian helmet, looks so classy, and used to really make you feel safe when you saw an officer on the street, then they changed to the paramilitary look, stopped on foot patrols, and all that went, then policing changed...for the worst. We used to have an officer walk down our street, dressed like that, and he looked about 10 feet tall, and smartly turned out. You'd behave yourself when you saw him. He used to pass sweets out to us if we were playing out, or pop in for cuppas.
Life Magazine's "picture of the year" showed how useful the custodian helmet could be when in 1974 at Twickenham during a rugby match between England and France, an Australian for a bet "streaked" across the pitch. It is amazing to think the streaking craze was 50 years ago but the photo can be found: "The Twickenham Streaker Iconic Photos."
Twickenham Police, officials, and viewers appeared more pleased by Erica Roe in 1982. Our 1974 Aussie Michael O'Brien was bet £10 to do it, and was fined the equivalent amount of cash from the Magistrate the following Monday. Yet he's forever in our pages of history as the Worlds First Streaker.
Historically the British police helmet was not called a "Custodian". This is a brand name for a reinforced version of the cork helmet that was introduced in the early 1980s.
The Dutch Royal Army regiment Van Heutsz still wear similar hats during parades and ceremonies.
Although the hats are more like pith helmets, including a spike on top.
But due to their dark blue colour, at first sight you'd think it's a Bobby helmet.
This particular regiment continues the tradition of the Dutch KNIL (Royal Netherlands East Indies Army).
Van Heutsz was a general who (in)famously 'pacified' the Indonesian province of Acheh in the late 1800s.,
These videos are always so well researched and very informative. The bilingual element just adds to my appreciation of the effort in producing them.
I was in a production of "Pirates of Penzance" wherein I got to wear such a helmet.
I personally like the simple but unique designs of Custodian helmets. As a non-western dude, I perceive it as something that represent UK's police force together with their uniform. I hope the police wear it with dignity and pride.
I recall in Sheffield in the 5os a Copper caught a couple trying it on in a pub doorway, he said Now then, there is a time and place for everything. No fuss no embarrassment.
Police in New Zealand (not surprisingly for a Commonwealth nation) wore a similar, if not identical, bobby helmet when I was a kid.
We had a cop come to our school one day, and someone asked why they wore such odd helmets and the cop said "to give the criminals a chance to get away." ;)
You noted that the custodians are too tall to be worn in cars, but to my knowledge police officers take headwear off when they enter a vehicle or go indoors. They also usually wear peaked caps whenever using vehicles, obviously taking them off while in the car. Other than that, great video mate.
Still got mine from the Met Police
And I also have a cork Met Police helmet from the 50’s I inherited from a former colleague
I just discovered your channel, and am enjoying it immensely. You've already covered most of my favorite styles, but I would enjoy a video about the Daisy Mae/Boonie hat, and based on your past videos, I expect one on WWII helmets is on the "to do" list as well
I drove through Dinard during the annual English film festival.
They traditionally have British police present to work with the Gendarmes to add some fun and atmosphere.
The British policeman must have been 2 metres tall and, with the hat, in imperial measurement 7 foot tall 😄
Impressive.
Do you know Jesus Christ can set you free from sins and save you from hell today
Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven
There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today
Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell
Come to Jesus Christ today
Jesus Christ is only way to heaven
Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void
Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today
Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today
Romans 6.23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
John 3:16-21
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Mark 1.15
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Hebrews 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Jesus
In Victoria, the police used to wear Bobby helmets, my father told me that the helmets made the police look bigger. He said that in the 1920s the only key selection criteria for a policeman was to be over six feet tall.
Until the mid ‘70 ASAIK traffic police on point duty wore pith helmets. They also wore white arm covers so motorists can see the hand signals.
I spoke to a policeman recently when training traffic police and he said they have no pith helmets or white arm covers.
In the 70s police directed traffic at major city intersections to prevent vehicles from queuing across intersections.
Very informative I didn't realise there was so much to the police helmet
One of the most thoroughly researched, comprehensive, informative, and entertaining videos I’ve had the pleasure to view. My hat’s off to YOU!
have one in my copper hats of the world set. from a retired copper across the pond. well done, sir!
As an inhabitant of the former USSR I can add that in 1924 there was adopted a new uniform for the Red Army very closely ressembling with British specimens that was used during 20-es before 1928 when another new model was adopted.
This uniform included for the low inforcement agents fielter helmets with a crest with ventilation hole in it very closely ressembling early models of custodian helmet.
Another example from the Eastern Europe was the Romanian police, that had a white uniform for the summertime provided with a corck custodian hemet also white during 1930-es.
i bought one at a gun show it is the coolest hat i own/ they give the english bobbies a distingushed look.
This video showed in my feed today. You have a new subscriber!
If you were looking for content, might I suggest two distinctive military hats: the Soviet/Russian peaked officer's cap, and the German World War II / East German officers cap.
Both have fascinating histories throughout their contemporary usage, and their lasting national legacies.
I'm a hat guy and I have learned so much from your channel about my own collection of millinery, which also includes a South Yorks police custodian helmet. Thanks for your time to research and produce each one of your productions; your high quality really shows!
Very Very Accurate and Instructive.
This was way more interesting than I expected...
My father, a Scottish Policeman, from the 1952 until the 1973, was never issued one by either of the forces he worked: however, in his early training some forces did still issue them.
He did mention the biggest complaint, and rather pertinent to Scotland: the helmet, and brim, was perfectly designed to let rain drip down the back of ones neck!
PS the UK uniform wasn't black, but a very, very, dark Blue Indigo (I suspect this is no longer completely true, with modern uniform materials, and dyes)
Our favorite line from national treasure is when Nicholas Cage pretended to be drunk says,oh look you've brought the Bobbies down on us.. ha..pex
Upon reading an old history book, it told of an archaic law where pregnant ladies could request the use of a English bobbies hat to relieve themselves. Not researched it further, yet it's rather funny if turned out to be true? "Sur, I'd like to request a new hat." Why? "Well Sur, It was used as a chamber pot in the coarse of duty." 😅😂🤣Denied !!
Some viewers may not know the origin of name “Bobby” please consider presenting something about Robert Peel.
Thank you. I have just discovered your channel and am enjoying it very much. It is amazing how many hats there have been in the world - something I never really thought of much before. It was good to hear my own (small) country referred to a few times - New Zealand! (I knit quite a few berets for my own use, owing to being cold.)
*"ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT! WHAT'S ALL THIS THEN? YOU'RE BLOODY NICKED, ME BEAUTY!"*
As well as the three different designs to choose from, each Force could have a different band round the helmet; patent leather, black metal, or silver metal. While most forces use the Bath star surmounted by a crown, some (City of London and Hampshire that I recall) use a bigger badge on the front.
You are definitely a weird and interesting fellow. I've watched several of your videos-great stuff. I wonder how you got so interested in hats. i'm a Yank who lived in the UK for 15 years, who married a Brit. Your videos educate me and remind me of British culture. Thanks again.
Two Aussie hats worth covering: the slouch hat (millitary) and the Akubra (country/ agriculture).
Thanks for the info. Why is it called “Custodian?” The now ubiquitous and cheap American style ball cap should be referred to for what it really is: the skull cap of the proletariat.
It was a brand name. It seems this style helmet might not really be called that across the board.
9:07 I like the bowler hat for female officers. It's more flattering.
In Gibraltar they still wear the pith helmet style. It’s all round practical for the climate.
I saw similar in old pictures of the German police. They wore Tschako's which look very similar in the case of Germany.
This was so funny and so interesting. I live in the UK but have spent most of my adult life in Scotland or in West Yorkshire, both of which have a peaked cap as the police uniform… I actually had no idea that the had varied by constabulary or that many still used the domed helmet! It seems that male officers are generally issued both the domed hat and the peaked cap. Apparently the custodian helmet is only used on foot patrol whereas officers in cars wear the cap. Officers above sergeant rank all wear a cap.
Some Aussie coppers wore pith helmets Upto the 70’s especially directing traffic and the mounted units.
19th, 20th & 21st Centuries British Policing.
Fascinating video. Well done for giving such a comprehensive history of one of the most iconic hats ever. So pleased that the police have reverted away from the baseball caps, which made them look like complete idiots.
Recently my wife and I have been watching the Canadian show Murdoch Mysteries. I have noticed that the Custodian hat worn by the character George is a lighter color than the other Constables. Would the colors vary within a police force? Not sure why it bugs me so 😁. I also assume like here in America show producers don't always pay attention to historical accuracy
Merci pour la vidéo
So they still exist. Have not seen one on a bobby, sorry police officer for ages. Gosh, how times are changed. I only see police(people) in cars now.
The “Bump Cap” seems to have replaced the older peaked hat as the standard headgear for the Scottish Police over the past few years.
This answers quite a few questions for me. We visit the UK often and even had someone in Oxford offer me a 80’s era custodian in exchange my University of Texas baseball cap. I declined, of course.
The Custodian helmet is only worn by foot patrol Constables and Sergeants. Inspectors+ use a peaked cap whether on foot or in a car. PCs ang Sgts wear peaked caps if in a car
From a descendant of the Wexford Barony of Sinnott, one of our own used humor to make USA cops change their hats at least. Torontos own Mack Sennet of Keystone Productions and his Keystone Cops. It proves the effectiveness of mass humor to change some authoritarian self persectives.
I think the best modernization of the custodian helmet would be to make it into a big blue flashing light and adding a siren.
Very good and very informative and accurate too. So well done for your research. Although most police have phased out this hat in England and Wales, they are still standard use for going to court and are expected to wear this but have to put it down when being questioned in the dock. Also, the police would not tip their hat, but salute (like Dickson of Dock Green used to do) or when dignitaries drive or walk past.
Most police forces in England & Wales still use the custodian helmet.
@@joelwhitaker2274 They are still part of the official uniform for law or ceremonial duties but I have hardly seen them on duty and not many are on the beat anymore, though the community police still have them. Most have either no helmet or hat or have the riot gear but I suppose it depends on which police force you are talking about. It may just be that all my friends don't ware them but I do take notice if I see a police person wearing them
@@bryancox6717 Of all the forces in the UK that still issue them, which is most, nearly all of them require that the custodian is worn by constables and sergeants when on foot beat. The only reason they aren't commonly seen each day is because most officers are assigned to a vehicle now, known as mobile patrol. If assigned to a vehicle then the peak cap is supposed to be worn. Custodian helmets are a common sight in city centres, on weekend nights and during large public events because that is when officers are most likely to be on foot beat. I've still got mine from when I was in.
@@joelwhitaker2274 Very true.
While german Pickelhaube was in reallity called ,Helm mit Spitze ' ( so your , casque a point' is correct) , there was in german parr of Ausro- Hungarian Empire a helmet officialy a Police helmet called Pickelhaube. I was also made of cork and similar to Custodian helmet. Also in Switzerland some cantons had similar helmets made of stiffened cloth/ textile until 1970s for cantonal or Community Police. They had been replaced for being impractical and Low protection. Only in one canton ( Glarus?) those helmets are still in use for the Police Escort in a traditional Event/ ceremony one time a Year.
also used by the imperial austrian gendarmerie, though not the royal hungarian gendarmerie who hat their own district hats.
The Zurich City police in Switzerland had huge problems with their so called „Bobby Helmets“ during the 1968 riots and changed to „motorbike style“ helmets shortly after for riot control.
I am not sure about Glarus, but in Appenzell Innerrhoden the Police used Bobby helmets for the ceremonial guards during the Landsgemeinde at least until 2018 (that‘s the last year I could find pictures).
@@geroldritter1959 : I am german, so my knowledge about Switzerland is limited , i can be wrong. In the article i somewhere read was noted, that at a kind of parade ( Festzug/ Umzug) somebody or something has a ceremonial escort of policemen.
@@brittakriep2938 You are right, I found an image from the yearly "Näfelser Fahrt" in Glarus where the ceremonial police escort for the members of the cantonal government wear bobby helmets. Don't know if it is still the case nowadays
great video!
Also the Soviet people's police (AKA militsiya) used to wear some variation of custodian helmet in 1930s, but after the WW2 it was never used again.
Nice Video. Thank you for the Info
LOVE YOUR INFORMATIVE VIDEOS SIR ! ❤
In Scotland it was phased out after WW2 it was cost and practical use ,my grandfather was a policeman in Scotland he wore the custodian helmet he retired in the late 1930s. During the War in England special constables wore the peaked cap due to cork shortages
Great that this is in enflish, not only french.
My friends uncle still has his NZ one in his garage cave
I heard that there used to be a version of this helmet in the 1950s/60s that had a flashing blue light on the top of it.
Scottish police stopped wearing the "please knock me off " helmets in the 1950s with the more practical flat cap.
Only just discovered your channel, and subscribed. Very interesting video.
For me, the custodian helmet conveys a friendliness the peaked hat fails to convey.
Not used in Scotland. English plods have pointy heads which is why they have pointy hats.
New Zealand Police used to wear those type of helmets.
You have done your homework to include the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary where I live.
No mention of pregnant ladies being allowed to pee in the helmet in an emergency ! Is that really true? Love your videos!
I was expecting a "ello ello ello, what's going on ere then" or "let's be avin you" "evening all" "you're nicked son" but you went a bit Sherlock Holmes in Hollywood in the 1930s.
Yeah, sorry, I'm an American failing to do a British accent, I tried...
@@hathistorianjc Not an issue, it made me laugh. I assumed you were French.
Half French half American, so you're not wrong!
The ventilation holes in the rose-shaped finial would probably have resulted in rain entering the helmet.
I just found your channel. As a big fan of hats and history, I am very happy. Have you considered the Afghan Pakul? Also, could you perhaps consider branching out a little and covering the Middle-eastern Kufiya (although it's technically a scarf, it is used as a hat).
“Alright alright, what’s all this then?”
This style of helmet was also worn by the Keystone Cops, there is probably a video or three of them up on RUclips
I didn't even know until a few weeks ago, the police in Basel wear them too, but just on special events, mostly just during carneval. Funny I used to live close to Basel and I didn't know. But the Police in Basel may used them just around 1800-1900.
Dropping the helmet was a mistake. I am glad that it has come back. I, also, do not understand why the French abandoned the Kepi which had always been associated with their police.
I thouroughly agree on all counts.
1:33 those mutton chops 😂
Actually you don’t see that many nowadays.
Not many Bobbies on the Beat