Policeman, Helsinki (Helsingfors), c. 1910.

This photograph was associated with others showing members of the Nyman family of Helsinki at a time when Finland was part of the Russian empire. I thought that helmet badge and belt plate might show the lion from the Duchy of Finland’s coat-of-arms. But A. P. in Helsinki informed me that, according to 1906 collection of regulations of the Grand Duchy of Finland the helmet should have a star made of white metal that has the coat of arms of the particular city. So it is probably not a lion in the helmet, but in this case most probably the coat of arms of Helsinki Helsink coat of arms. Or in 1910 it was probably closer to this old version in this seal: Helsink coat of arms 1921.

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Page by Mark Conrad, 2011.