these helmets where indeed used by dutch paratroopers post-war. i have one with thick layer of coarse paint with the same internals. i dont know exactly what i cost at the time, but certainly less then 25 dollars, i was playing soldier when i got it at a army dumpstore.

there were british para's active in the netherlands, Operation Market Garden, mid september '44 around Arnhem. i've also seen pictures of canadian troops wearing them liberating the province 'Zeeland', whch was an operation to capture the 'wester schelde' to secure Antwerpen's(belgium) port.