British WWII NFS - National Fire Service Helmet Decal - Fire Force Numerals
Store > WW2 Helmet & Hat Accessories > WW2 British Helmet Decals > National Fire Service Helmet Decal Numeral
This a helmet decal (not a stencil). The decals were used on British Fire Helmets from 1941 till the end of the war and after, to identify the 'Fire Force' area. There were 43 area numerals and 49 Fire Forces.
This is a high quality decal, made from ink and printed on 1950's screen presses not some nasty plastic laser printer - your NFS helmet deserves a proper decal!
Perfect for:
- Helmet Restorers
- WW2 NFS Reenactors
- Living History
- Displays & Presentations
- Civil Defense Collectors
- Warden / AFS / NFS Collectors
- Presented on a helmet to retiring firemen
The NFS was created in August 1941 by the amalgamation of the wartime national Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) and the local authority fire brigades (about 1,600 of them). It existed until 1948. War service meant considerable risk, and members of the NFS were called to attend the aftermath of German bombing raids and coastal shelling from France, often whilst these attacks were still ongoing. At peak strength the NFS had 370,000 personnel, including 80,000 women.
This decal is made from ink, just like the originals, it has no plastic materials. It is copied from an original (there were 4 original types that we have observed). It was mainly made from cream & red ink but they were nearly always varnished which gives a yellow/orange tone over time, so many people incorrectly think they were this colour! See the last picture - we have made this one look aged using old varnish.
Instructions can be found on this link (German but exactly the same process). We also sell the 'NFS Star & Crown' on our website. This is the badge that sat above the numeral on the helmet.
