Australian helmet on ebay ?

[Flyingdutchman]

Gentlemen,

this helmet looks interesting to me: click. Though I have no idea whether the helmet is original nor any idea about the insignia.

Any thoughts on this mostly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Rgds;

Flyingdutchman

Edited May 3, 2011 by Flyingdutchman

[Tony]

I'm always wary of any helmet with insignia on it especially one that's been through a war and is still in great condition.

The seller mentions Africa, I always thought Commonwealth troops in N. Africa wore sand coloured helmets, many with 3 holes, 1 punched each side of the brim and one at the back. I'm no expert though, just don't believe everything I see.

Apart from that I wouldn't have thought there'd be anything wrong with the helmet itself although I thought the chinstrap had a buckle and was elasticated for the first couple of inches each side of the bales, maybe a later model strap?

There's a good site called digger history (or similar) but I can't seem to access it at the moment. All kinds of Australian insignia and information is available there.

I'll try to find some British helmet examples and will add the links.

Tony

[Tony]

Have a look at these for references to Commonwealth MKII helmets

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/10938-question-about-british-helmets/page__hl__brodie

http://www.nyc-techwriters.com/militaria/british_helmets3.htm

http://www.cascoscoleccion.com/granbret/gbk2.htm

http://www.gostak.demon.co.uk/helmets/unitedkingdom.htm

I'm afraid I didn't find anything on Australian unit insignia.

Tony

[Mervyn Mitton]

I don't know why - but something just doesn't seem right with this helmet ? Perhaps it is the turned over brim - the colour also would not be correct for African service. Perhaps it is preWar issue for Australia. Which Corps or, Division used this Insignia ?

Tony, it was the South African helmet that had the three holes - they were at the front and were intended to have camo netting suspended from them. Over the years this has become confused and people insist that it was for a neck cloth to keep the sun off. I suppose if you put it on back to front it could do that too ! Certainly the dark green would make a good target in sand.

[Stuart Bates]

A bit late I know but I went through Keith Glyde's excellent book Distinguishing Colour Patches... and not a kangaroo in sight. Nor a boomerang and I went back through the book

The combination seems a bit kitsch.

Stuart

Edited May 13, 2011 by Stuart Bates

[Tony]

Tony, it was the South African helmet that had the three holes - they were at the front and were intended to have camo netting suspended from them. Over the years this has become confused and people insist that it was for a neck cloth to keep the sun off. I suppose if you put it on back to front it could do that too ! Certainly the dark green would make a good target in sand.

Thanks for that Mervyn, I always thought it was for the back. I have seen British issue helmets with the holes too, it'd be good if the Brodie had a front or back marked inside.

Stuart,

I agree, I'd have thought they'd have used coloured patches back then as opposed to a kangaroo or boomerang.

And it sold for 100 €

Tony