british mk 111 help needed

**James C** · 05-13-2012, 04:26 PM

hi guys i was wondering if anybody could shed some light on my turtle helmet mainly the colour and manufacturer there is a letters and numbers stamped on the inside althought the first part is hard to read it looks like RO 8 then the initials EB then 111 over 044 i was wondering where the helmet might of seen service it appears to have some remaining tan/desert colour paint

**aj4010** · 05-13-2012, 04:44 PM

RO & CO = Ruberry Owen Company. I haven't seen EB before. The paint is a little odd. You say it is tan? Could it be whitewash faded to yellow?

Best Regards,

Andy

**James C** · 05-13-2012, 04:51 PM

many thanks andy for clarification on the maker brilliant as for the paint the photo probably didnt show properly as i took pic in full sun with flash on but i would describe it as a mustard colour paint thanks again james

**aj4010** · 05-13-2012, 05:07 PM

by col james

many thanks andy for clarification on the maker brilliant as for the paint the photo probably didnt show properly as i took pic in full sun with flash on but i would describe it as a mustard colour paint thanks again james

Difficult to say what has gone on with the paint. Options could be many. Faded whitewash for snow cammo/parade/guard duty? A lot of british troops did winter training in Scandinavia post war, and still do. Suez cammo job, but I have never seen one, (if they exist.)

A very nice lid.

Best Regards,

Andy

**Tinhat** · 05-13-2012, 05:19 PM

I would say it was used by Israel in the '48 war the sand paint is very similar to others I have seen, it looks to have all the original parts of a '44 manufactured MkIII, is the liner dated. It's had a rough life but has lot of character, I think you have a nice helmet and they are not as common as you would expect.
Steve.

**aj4010** · 05-13-2012, 05:23 PM

by Tinhat

I would say it was used by Israel in the '48 war the sand paint is very similar to others I have seen, it looks to have all the original parts of a '44 manufactured MkIII, is the liner dated. It's had a rough life but has lot of character, I think you have a nice helmet and they are not as common as you would expect.
Steve.

That could be it! Well done Steve.

Regards,

Andy

**tinlid** · 05-13-2012, 05:27 PM

The EB is the steel batch number, the III for Mk3. Like a lot of these helmets they saw a lot of service post war with the British army & others.

**Tinhat** · 05-13-2012, 05:33 PM

I found a picture of a motley looking crew from Israel's Givati Brigade in '48
Steve.

**James C** · 05-13-2012, 05:37 PM

many thanks andy, tinlid and tinhat and in answer to your question about the liner ive had a closer look no maker mark all i can see is 63/4 but as i was looking i noticed the same colour mustard paint on both ends of the liner edge so israel war of 48 you think ,brilliant thanks again james