Some progress today as I completed the first pass of stitching across the visor. I also put the trim back on as unlike most visors the stitching of this one did not go under the trim. I have stitched a reddish orange felt officer helmet before which obviously was much easier than this. However, as with most of these projects once you are faced with a challenge you start thinking and come up with a solution. In this case, I used a thicker gauged T pin to slightly enlarge each hole from the outside as I stitched. I also found that I did have a blunt needle of useable size and it worked great! That really speeded up the process. I was able to use some back lighting which did light up the holes. Anyway, hopefully the return stitch will be just as quick.
We have all seen this but this helmet is in excellent condition because of the above. A second last comment 
for the most part, the older heavier helmets with thicker leather generally have survived in better shape than those of the 1890's -1916 because they are more resistant to environmental conditions. The more modern helmets with their thinner gauge shells are wide open to shrinkage and all of the problems that this produces!
