RARE 1941 dated helmet with cruise visor bmb

[Roger M]

I read that 5000 were produced but before Dunkirk which is the only concern I have about the mask being with a 1941 helmet. I think they are made from a Stainless steel alloy which is probably why all the masks I see look slightly out of context with the steel helmet.

[SMP]

Perfect example of the 1939 pattern Cruise visor. Congratulations !

[SMP]

WW2 British and Commonwealth helmet markings and Badges.

The visor can be stuck on any old lid- and just as easily removed. The condition of the visor does not have to match the helmet it is fitted to .

[EUROPEANPICKERS]

the visor, not the helmet, is dated 1941, made by BMB
thanks for the comments

[RVLucy]

To give little more of the history of the Cruise Mk.III visor. It was designed by Sir Richard Cruise an RAMC ophthalmologist who wanted to prevent blinding eye injuries cause by small fragmnets and debris. To this end he had developed two chain-mail visors during the Great War, the first of which as actually adopted by the War Office, but rejected by the troops (who found them unwearable). When the Second World War broke out he had an even better visor made of duraluminium. Unlike the Great War versions it was detachable, or could be folded up inside the helmet. Again he was able to convince the powers that be that it was a must-have piece of kit. In early 1940, an initial order for 5,000 was placed to equip the BEF in France and 10,000 more for the Royal Navy. The contract was placed with Briggs Motor Bodies at a cost of 7 shillings (about $1) - the cost of a complete steel helmet - each.

Here is one of a dozen bought for trials by the Canadian Army Overseas, which found its way into the possession of the CO of the Saskatoon Light Infantry, Lt Col C.McKerron (showing again that Dr. Cruise's inventions were more popular with the brass than with the troops.)



He also fitted it with a private purchase liner. The helmet was made by Jos.Sankey and Sons in 1938, while (if you look carefully at the top picture) the visor is stamped BMB 1940.

[Anderson]

Very interesting. Another military innovation that never caught on.

[Composite]

"Never caught on"?......have a look at the Brit Virtus helmet....it has a drop-down visor in the form of goggles......