WW2 British Para/ RAC or post war British or Belgian Para/Tank relic helmet?

[AlexKG200]

Hello Gents,

I need your opinion on this relic helmet. Is this WW2 or post war, Para or Armoured Crew, British or Belgian helmet? It`s looks like helmet has been painted quite a few times. I will greatly appreciate any comments.

Kind Regards
Alex

[kradman]

Looks like a British para helmet shell to me ,but as for dating it ,it will be hard as these were used also post war

[Greg Pickersgill]

I would bet money it is a para shell, rather than the Armoured helmet, seeing as how there's no hole for the liner at the crown, and there are holes for the liner/chinstrap rig around the sides. As to date, or even as to whether it is British or Belgian, I have *never* seen a marked shell of either (though I'm happy to have one pointed out!) so as to date or origin, you choose, no one can prove you wrong. Mind you, a *real* expert could probably solve this by just looking at the paint.

[AlexKG200]

Kradman, Greg thank you kindly for your comments, Good point regarding the paint.. Does anyone can help in this matter? Thank you.

Kind Regards
Alex

[James C]

hello alex ,what are your thoughts on the front stencil ,looks like 22 to my eye's ,also i notice the inner shell ear area's says coms ,communication's perhaps so worn with headset maybe ,it might give clue's to its use
hope its of some help
regards james

[AlexKG200]

James, Thank you very much for your comment, Sharp-eyed! Indeed looks like 22, also COY?, and COMS, perhaps added later? I really don`t know..

Kind Regards
Alex

[brickie501]

James, Thank you very much for your comment, Sharp-eyed! Indeed looks like 22, also COY?, and COMS, perhaps added later? I really don`t know..

Kind Regards
Alex

I think I can see an 'A' before 'COY', I'd perhaps favour 'CQMS' for the rest too...

I can't see the letter clearly as a 'Q' but in the context of marking it to an individual, A Company's Company Quartermaster Sergeant wouldn't need to actually be named for his property to be identified

Conversely, communications is officially abbreviated 'comms' - though an individual might not always conform to that - but, while it's a 'function', it isn't typically a sub-section of a company... for something belonging to the sub-unit collectively, I'd expect just '{whatever} COY', perhaps 'CP' (Command Post) or similar for the HQ… but that would infer a number of people & typically helmets wouldn't be 'jointly' owned (though, since they're mentioned, headsets might).

[Composite]

I’ve got a ‘56 Para lid.....coloured patch inside, overpainted names, with something and “coy” inside.....this has similarities. Always thought it’d had multiple users.......training perhaps???

[Watchdog]

I think I can see an 'A' before 'COY', I'd perhaps favour 'CQMS' for the rest too...

I can't see the letter clearly as a 'Q' but in the context of marking it to an individual, A Company's Company Quartermaster Sergeant wouldn't need to actually be named for his property to be identified

Conversely, communications is officially abbreviated 'comms' - though an individual might not always conform to that - but, while it's a 'function', it isn't typically a sub-section of a company... for something belonging to the sub-unit collectively, I'd expect just '{whatever} COY', perhaps 'CP' (Command Post) or similar for the HQ… but that would infer a number of people & typically helmets wouldn't be 'jointly' owned (though, since they're mentioned, headsets might).

I agree entirely and CQMS (Which is a Staff segeant /Colour Sgt post) was my immediate thought before reading any replies.

Of course CQMS is uniquely British Army (and not Airforce or Navy) and before the modern composite helmets were introduced steel helmets were unit stores rather than permanent personal issue and would have many "owners" during their service life.

The three holes for liner fixing definately make this a para version (three point harness) the black circle in the crown is from the rubber crown pad that used to live there and just one other point,

a large hand painted (it isn't stencilled) number on the front just screams to me "P Company" or Pre-parachute Selection!

As it is with no known history I think a restorative paint job and a retrofitted liner (they are to be found) would be the way to go.

Regards

Mark

[brickie501]

... before the modern composite helmets were introduced steel helmets were unit stores rather than permanent personal issue and would have many "owners" during their service life.

Thanks Mark, I didn't appreciate that... though, as you say, CQMS still makes sense as they'd likely be distributed at Company level, yes?

… a large hand painted (it isn't stencilled) number on the front just screams to me "P Company" or Pre-parachute Selection!

I'm going to go slightly against Pre-parachute Selection itself, since that is run by 'Pegasus Company' (P Coy) - but perhaps a training 'pool' (for assault courses etc rather than field training exercises) for A Coy of one of the Battalions?

Although the number & the 'ownership' markings could be from entirely different phases of its life!