vintage american industrial welder's helmet or hand shield with a rectangular-shaped eye shield. the helmet is comprised of a molded gray fiberglass composite. fabricated by the fibre-metal products co., chester, pa. welding helmets are used to protect the eyes, face and neck from flash burn, ultraviolet light, sparks, infrared light, and heat emitted from arc welding. the helmets are necessary to prevent arc eye, a painful condition where the cornea is inflamed. all welding helmets include a window covered with a filter called a lens shade, through which the welder can see to work. in older helmets, the window may be made of tinted glass, tinted plastic, or perhaps a variable-density filter made from a pair of polarized lenses. riveted joint tubular molded fiberglass handle original and intact. surface wear consistent with age. measures approximately 8 x 7 1/2 x 15 inches.