WW2 BRITISH PARATROOPERS HELMET WITH FIBRE RIM AND ORIGINAL LEATHER CHIN STRAP DATED 1943.
History
Production of this helmet started on 24 June 1942. On 5th July, 5,000 pieces were delivered. Production ended in October 1942. The helmet remained in service throughout WW2 and was commonly worn for Operation Market Garden during the famous battle of Arnhem in September 1944 by both the British and Polish Airborne Forces.
Item Description
We have an extremely rare MK1, British Airborne 1943 dated Fibre Rim Helmet (HSAT). This is a very rare opportunity to be able to obtain the scarcest of all British Airborne helmets and one of the most sought after items of British Airborne Militaria. Any WW2 dated British Airborne Helmet is highly desirable, but obtaining a fibre rim model has become somewhat impossible. This model has become so sought after that even top dealers very seldom obtain one for resale, and when they do, they already have a long waiting list and therefore are sold instantly without being offered on the open market or sold privately within fellow collecting circles. of Arnhem in September 1944 by both the Original early non-glare paintwork is in very good condition, again consistent with the wear of the rest of the helmet. There are however a few grazes and marks to the outer shell as to be expected for a helmet of 68 years old and having been worn in combat. These however are by no means detrimental and only adds to the character of the piece. The defining feature – the 1" fibre rim is complete, non-brittle and secure to the perimeter of the helmet and has never been removed. Liner: The liner consists of the classic four cloth strap assembly linked by its original draw cord. The original Crown Pad is present and secured in place to the crown of the helmet. The Liner is clearly stamped BMB (Briggs Motor Bodies Ltd of Dagenham), size 7 1/8 and clearly dated 1943. All leather to the liner is in good supple condition with no brittleness. The helmet has its original leather chinstrap and has not been converted to the later pattern webbing chinstrap as the earlier stitched leather ones broke in extreme conditions. This was common practice usually showing that the helmet was also used after WW2, not so in this case.
Such items are not just a pleasure to own and display, they also offer a fantastic investment opportunity as these helmets continue to rise in price (rapidly) by the year. As previously mentioned, this is the ‘Classic’ WW2 British Airborne Helmet, worn during all Airborne battles of WW2 and can be seen in many period photographs of Arnhem and Normandy to name a few