My husband inherited this helmet a few days ago and we are trying to find out more about it. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks!
My husband inherited this helmet a few days ago and we are trying to find out more about it. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Hi
It is missing part of the lining, and i believe this type of Mk 1 helmet was issued from 1917, the markings inside "FKS" is the manafacturers mark, but i'm sorry I cannot ID it precisely, the 2 is i believe is the batch number.
Overall a very nice looking lid from WW1.......good inheritance piece.
Gaz.
Here's what Ive seen on other sites regarding the manufacturer/steel suppliers codes stamped on the helmets in WWI. FKS doesnt seem to have been positively identified, but may be manufactured by Thomas Firth and Sons.
Steel suppliers:
FS, Thomas Firth and Sons (sept 15 thru 19)
HS, Hadfields Ltd. Jan 16 thru 1919
BS, W Beardmore & Co. Ltd. Jan 16 thru 19
MS, Miris Steel Co. Ltd March 16 thru 17
Until August 1916 mosty of this steel was supplied to Joseph Sankey and Son Ltd. for pressing into helmet shape. The remaining 75,000 sheets went to Bleriot Ltd in London or Army & Navy Cooperative.
Sheffield Muntions committee suppliers
A) Helmet Manufacturer
D, James Dixon & Sons Dec 15 till ?
H, W Hutton & Sons Dec 15 till
HH, Harrison Bros. & Howson Ltd. Dec 15 till
M, J&J Maxfield & sons Dec 15 till
R, John Round & Sons 1916
V, W&E Viener Dec 15 till
Steel Supplier
A, Edgar Allen and Co. Ltd 16-18
F, Thomas Firth and Sons 16 till 18
O, Samuel Osborne & Co Ltd. 16 thru 18
V, Vickers Ltd 16-17
B, Bury's & Co. 16-18
Codes on helmets should read M/A That is helmet made by J&J Maxfield & sons from steel supplied by Edgar Allen and Co. Ltd followed by a lot (heat) code for the steel.
Sheffield only produced small quantities a week, Edgar Allen and Co. Ltd was known to mark helmets with "Imperial".
Helmet manufacturers not part of the Sheffield Munitions Committee Group:
Army & Navy Co-operative Society Sept 1915 thru Jan 1916 (Not Marked)
Joseph Sankey & Sons Ltd. Oct 15 to Oct 16 (No marks except Steel suppliers)
Bleriot Ltd. May 1916 to October 1916 (No marks except Steel suppliers)
Hadfields Ltd. Aug 1916 to 1919 (Prior to Aug 1916 this firm only supplied steel no mark other than origianl Steel supplier mark) Aug 16 thru 19
W Beardmore & Co. Ltd. Aug 1916 thru 1918 (Prior to Aug 1916 this firm only supplied steel no mark other than origianl Steel supplier mark) Aug 16 thru 18
Miris Steel Co. (Prior to Aug 1916 this firm only supplied steel no mark other than origianl Steel supplier mark) Sept 16 thru 17.
Other marks not 100% identified:
MLS ?
FKS Possibly Thomas Firth & Son
M&S possibly Maxfield & Sons.
Or more properly, manufactured with steel supplied by Thomas Firth
i have a question regarding this helmet i got a mk1 and it had the same cork round thing in the bottom mine was stuck under the 1941 liner so is that piece of cork was use in ww1 ?
i am confuse ?
Thanks and it's a nice lid you have !
Frenchy
It's not cork on the bottom of the inside it is actually wool.
Thanks for the responses! Do you think it is a British or US helmet? We did not get it with a liner. The leather chin strap is in excellent condition no tears or anything, it is one solid strap thats adjustable. Do any of you know what the value on something like this is? We do not want to sell it but would it be something you would insure? Thanks again!
WW1 for sure.
Cheers, Ade.
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