I really do not know, but will comment that it does look to be possibly home made or school made. I have 2 thoughts. In the early parts of WWII, many American soliders wore salvage WWI uniforms (including the famous Doughboy attire) and helmets as we did not have any ready to go at the time we went to war. The helmet looks a lot like a Japanese helmet. I wonder if the fellow himself is Japanese?
I had the same reaction as Barbara and wonder - especially based on the closure if the piece might be "trench art" - art made by soldiers or prisoners of war during the war from materials at hand. I think the face looks Asian and the helmet does look like a Japanese WWII helmet. Linn
I agree with the Japanese WW2 theory, and the colour of the uniform looks right for that too, BUT it could also be British from WW1 for the same reasons!
