One thing has bothered me over my father's grant by the College of Arms, London. The problem is that the helm is facing to the front with the visor lowered (I think). Attached is the helm as scanned from the original grant.

My father is not a knight but an esquire, is this correct? I have the vaguest recollection of reading somewhere that they could be diffences in helms between gentlemen and esquires. However, I have been unsuccessful in find any such reference again - it it existed.

Any thoughts?