This particular Mk II was assembled in New Zealand and they were only done so in country for one year ( 1941 )...
Only examples with chin strap lugs dated to 1941 and so marked NPZ ( New Zealand Pressing ) are to be considered as a product of New Zealand and are extremely rare and hard to source do to limited production numbers..
The helmet bodies were acquired from the Australian firm of the American company Commonwealth Steel Compagny Pty Limited,
Chinstraps and liners were as well sourced from the Australian branch of the English firm Dunlop whom specialized in manufacturing automobile tires..
All components with the exception of the chinstrap lugs were imported these were manufactured in country the rest of the parts that were needed were brought in from Australia to New Zealand and assembled at the General Motors Plant in Petone, Wellington...
They are manufactured from manganese steel and weigh in at approximately 1120 grams the helmet body was only produced in one size
Liners were made available in seven different sizes to accommodate the troops...
This Mk II is a nice period worn example with a great patina which has that been there done that look I like so much in my helmets it has been overpainted in a desert tan and has some sparse green patches added for camouflage..
As can be seein the images below this Mk II must of been sporting a hessian cover at some time in its service life and adhered itself to the paint as there are still cross hatch marks clearly visible on the green and the remnants of the twists in the hessian threads visible in the thicker parts of the tan paint...
Regards Mark K
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