According to Andrew Ainsworth, this is one of around five prototype helmets that were made when Shepperton Design Studios were experimenting with white vacuform plastic to make the first Stormtrooper helmets in 1976. They initially made six helmets out of khaki-coloured plastic and when they realised that design was not entirely satisfactory, they then made these prototypes to experiment with the different material. The serrated edge at the back of this helmet was abandoned for the following batch of helmets as it was too difficult to mould.

The helmet in this lot is identical to that sold at Christie's South Kensington as part of the Collection Of Andrew Ainsworth in December 2002 and another similarly sold in 2004. This helmet was given by Ainsworth to a relative at the time of the release of the film and is thought to be the last one in circulation.