Battle Damaged 1941 MK1 Helmet

[donnie]

Hi guys,

I thought i would share this 1941 British MK1 Helmet with you all, it has the remains of its original green paint with white and dark green paint aswell. It has been struck with two rounds on the front (none of which have penetrated), on the back/side it has sustained a mean looking wound which i will let you make up your own minds as to what caused it.





Donnie

[donnie]

It did cross my mind as all the colours seem to be correct for a desert cam lid.....as for history, all i no is it was brought home to England by my freinds grandfather who was Bulgarian and forced at gunpoint to serve in the Wehrmacht, first as a Flak Gunner then as a Pilot on Observation Aircraft. His war led him first from Russia and then to Italy, where i suppose he may have acquired this helmet. The old boy is still alive but refuses to mention the war to anyone at all, we only no those small facts because it was written in a small journal of his.....

Donnie

[Alan M]

great looking helmet Josh ! Do you think a bayonet could pierce one of these ?

cheers Al

[Paul D]

The original paint does look like it could be a tan colour Josh which would tie in with Italy what's the interior like ?

[donnie]

Oh yes! easily. The force would carry it through.......im glad someone else had the Bayonet idea too

Donnie

[Paul D]

Could be a hit from an entrenching shovel one of the Germans favourite close combat weapons

[donnie]

The original paint does look like it could be a tan colour Josh which would tie in with Italy what's the interior like ?

Hi mate,

The interior is pretty sparse to be honest, no liner. But where the rounds have hit the paint has come of around them.

Donnie

[donnie]

That mate sounds like a good idea, what a brutal way too go.....

Donnie

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Josh, it is a "MKII No.2 C" helmet. These were "seconds" which did not pass quality control. Hence the three holes drill in the rim to indicate they were unfit for frontline use. They were also painted a light tan colour not service brown or green. They were kept for civil dence use at Home.

The "MKII No.2 D" had four holes to the rim.

Hope this helps?

Cheers, Ad.

[Blackpowder44]

Could be a hit from an entrenching shovel one of the Germans favourite close combat weapons

I would agree with the entrenching tool , you could not put that much force into a bayonet thrust or a slashing movement, John