I did this a couple of months ago but I couldn't get a reasonable satisfaction with the result. Anyway I'm uploading the blend for you to be the judge. Rendered under Cycles and images include. Take care.
P.S.: The blend uploaded refers to the clean version of the helmet.
Hello, FayZee. "Your model has prompted me to look up diving helmets. Do you know what model yours is, and its date? And am I right in thinking this is based on a 19th century British design?"
Honestly, I couldn't say any accurate information about this helmet. It's inspired by images of miniature models sold as souvenir on Internet :(. I gathered features of three o four models to be taken to 3D. As you see, nothing romantic ;)
I also browsed Internet, visiting some pages, looking for images and I'm almost sure I visited the page you refers to. On this page you can see many models of navigation lights. I think that one these images can be use to make one more 3D scene.
I'm very glad that my model encouraged you to investigate about diving helmets to increase your level of knowledge (and mine too).
Thank you very much for your priceless comments.
Take care.
Don't worry, I think it's superb :-)
The rusty one would look wonderful gracing a book cover - maybe propped against an open treasure chest with a skeleton still clutching a huge ruby ... or else being worn by a diver investigating an underwater wreck .... or ...
Your model has prompted me to look up diving helmets. Do you know what model yours is, and its date? And am I right in thinking this is based on a 19th century British design?
It looks quite a feat of engineering - it must have been, as this basic design seems to have been in use from early 20th century for about fifty years, maybe more. The WWI & WW2 US Navy Mk V helmet was even still in production to order in 2013!
The Deane brothers produced the first in the 1820's and asked Augustus Siebe to improve on it in the 1830s, then August Schrader (of bicycle tyre valve fame) created a new copper helmet in 1849 and later, a diving equipment air pump.
August Schrader's son's company was one of four companies who made metal helmets for the US Navy, along with Morse and Miller-Dunn. Some of these survive in collections and can be seen on this vintage site.
Sites like those are an inspiration to artists. Items were so much more decorative in times gone by.
And your model is an inspiration to me!