MK V "Turtle" helmet

[74Squadrongirl]

Long shot but wondering if it's possible to put a rough date to my MK V? 

It's in pretty good nick, with the liner intact, some deterioration to the hessian but no more than you'd expect.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Alli

[AndyGPR]

Wonder why Wiki doesn't mention a MK V when it does mention all others between MK III and 6

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mk_III_helmet

Can't be much help with this I'm afraid, although I did own a 1950s dated helmet a long, long time ago. Seem to remember the date being stamped on the inside of the shell; as your's is well and truly covered in hessian, netting and scrim you'll probably want to leave it that way!.

[74Squadrongirl]

Hi

Yes I can't really poke about with it too much, hessian dust is a nightmare, as I say knew it was a long shot but you don't know unless you ask! It was sold as Northern Ireland issue but that covers a wide date range. I like it though. Not as smart as an M1 but a whole lot smarter than the ugly Zuckerman I bought today!

Alli

[AndyGPR]

You never know, maybe someone with a bit more knowledge than I have might chip-in soon. It's a lovely helmet, the Zuckerman on the other hand was obviously not designed with looks in mind Cheer up, those mega rare and expensive wartime glider pilot helmets don't look much better.

[74Squadrongirl]

*goes off to google mega rare and expensive wartime glider pilot helmets*

Oh and if you know anything about restoring bearskins, I just bought the mother of messes 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/British-Army-Bearskin-Busby-Coldstream-Grenadier-/322034094500?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=%252BIUErsua%252FjF5TlkyMF3HqGiMYp4%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

Erm yeah I thought it might be one of those, thats an ugly object 

[AndyGPR]

Here's mine... think I'd rather wear a burqa

Hmm, you have your work cut out with that bearskin; being natural fibre though, I would imagine it would take dye ok. If I come across any restoration info on my travels, I'll let you know.

 

[74Squadrongirl]

Hmmm I don't want to say anything mean about it because its valuable, historical and belongs to you so that would be rude but erm yeah its not aesthetically pleasing is it?

So helmets only? or do you collect caps, other items too?

[AndyGPR]

Haha, that's ok, I can handle it  It does look better since I added some receivers (headphones) and a wiring loom.... but not much!.

I collect anything at all to do with the Glider Pilot Regiment; so a lot of specialised stuff like the helmet and insignia but also more generic items like webbing and such-like.

I do have a good friend who has a great collection of headgear; not sure if he's a member here?. Coloured field service caps are his thing, but he also has a few other hats and helmets.

Just noticed your bearskin needs a liner and a chinstrap. I've found a couple of chinstraps for sale but no liners. A saddler would probably be able to make a liner for you, very skilled folk when it comes to leatherwork.

Found some good pics over on another forum that might help; hopefully I'm ok to post this link.

http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/cloth-headgear-western-allies/long-live-bearskin-cap-531791/

[74Squadrongirl]

Brilliant thank you! I lurk on war relics but not a member.

Good suggestions I will look into that, I've got my eye on a chinstrap on ebay, but the saddler is a great idea.

Cool, why Glider Pilot Regiment? any particular reason?

[AndyGPR]

Happy to help, good photos are so important when embarking on a resto' project.

Print off a couple of photos showing what the liners in these bearskins look like, call in at some saddlers in your local area and get some quotes; et voila!

Why Glider Pilot Regiment?, my dear old Dad served with them 1943-46. Started the collection shortly after he passed away in '95.

Your main interest is headgear, right?

[74Squadrongirl]

Thanks Andy.

Sorry to hear about your dad. My dad passed away a couple of years ago he was a Para,

No, love my headdress, have a fairly large collection but actually badges are my thing particularly Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Northumberland Fusiliers, Grenadier Guards, blackened badges and just getting into cloth badges, the British Badge Forum is where you normally find me 

Alli

 

[AndyGPR]

You're welcome

Thanks for the condolences, I extend the same to you. Your Dad was Airborne too!, great stuff; was he a wartime Para?.

Cloth insignia can be a minefield so be careful!. The guys on the BBF are a helpful bunch though, so you should be alright; I'm a member there myself but haven't posted anything for ages

 

[74Squadrongirl]

Your a lurker! 

No dad was in during the 50's, Suez, Cyprus etc

Cloth insignia is terrible, I'm mainly collecting modern at the moment as I'm interested in a lot of modern badges, but its a nightmare. I'd be lost without the lads on the forum 

[AndyGPR]

I am, shhh!... actually, just taking a break for a wee while.

Suez and Cyprus?, your Dad earns my respect.

Blimey!, I wouldn't know where to start with modern cloth stuff. I take it you collect cloth insignia to the Fusilier and Guards units you mentioned, or do you just buy whatever takes your fancy?

[74Squadrongirl]

Morning!

I collect particularly to the Fusiliers and Guards, but also pick up whatever takes my fancy. I need to stop buying RRF TRF and bog standard badges, whenever I see one I just buy it on autopilot. I don't even know how many I have now. It's stupid! 

 

 

[74Squadrongirl]

PS I won't tell your lurking on BBF! I don't think my identity on here has been sussed yet by anyone else that's a member on both forums, only a matter of time  not that I have a reason to not be identified, I'm not on the run or anything!......Or am I?

[AndyGPR]

10 hours ago, 74Squadrongirl said:

Morning!

I collect particularly to the Fusiliers and Guards, but also pick up whatever takes my fancy. I need to stop buying RRF TRF and bog standard badges, whenever I see one I just buy it on autopilot. I don't even know how many I have now. It's stupid! 

Greetings and salutations!

That's the best militaria-buying excuse I've heard in ages, "sorry Mr Bank Manager, but I was on auto-pilot at the time" . I tend use that old chestnut, "my dog hit the buy-it-now button, honest", no-one ever believes me though... wonder if it has anything to do with me not having a dog?.

To focus, or not to focus, that is the question. I've tried both approaches to militaria collecting. As a youngster, I'd buy whatever I could and was able to build-up a collection very quickly (and for not a lot of money). Apart from the odd star item though, it was just a load of old junk, with no real value or direction.

Fast forward 35 years to the more specialised collection I have now, and I can honestly say that I find collecting much more rewarding. It can be expensive at times and items can take months, even years to find, but it is a real buzz when I'm able to add something to the collection that I don't have.

Personally, I would stick to your Guards and Fusiliers interest; maybe restrict yourself even further by only collecting stuff from a particular time-frame. If you enjoy picking stuff up on your travels, then you can still do that; but then sell those items on as a way of funding your main interest. Sound like a plan?.

10 hours ago, 74Squadrongirl said:

PS I won't tell your lurking on BBF! I don't think my identity on here has been sussed yet by anyone else that's a member on both forums, only a matter of time  not that I have a reason to not be identified, I'm not on the run or anything!......Or am I?

Regarding my lurking on the BBF, is it just me or does that term make my absence sound all very dark and seedy?. I'm just very busy with one thing and another right now. I'm trying to write a book so taking part in discussion can lead to a conflict of interests.

Ha, I sussed out who you were as soon as you mentioned being a member there; don't worry, your secret's safe with me... even if you are a fugitive

 

[74Squadrongirl]

Hi!

Your writing a book? well I'm going to need further details, you know that don't you?

As my main interest is RRF timewise thats been simple, also fairly cheap and abundant, So that's all sensible. As is your plan. I am much better and less scattergunned than I used to be but sometimes the heart wants what the heart wants. And sometimes alcohol is involved  but overall I am a bit better. Completely broke but better. And I do have dogs and they don't help buy things, I actually lost a very nice Scots Guards cap on ebay because the pup stood on my keyboard at the crucial moment 

Its not hard to find me in the other place, gender is the big giveaway-not an abundance of females, and the tiger connection of course. As disguises go it's not a great one. Unlike you, Zorro, I have yet to unmask you

Lurking does sound very seedy, need a new word......

[AndyGPR]

Haha, I will have to PM you about the book; it's all very cloak and dagger.. mustn't alert the competition!. 

Nothing wrong with buying something that you like but that doesn't fit the collection, I could drift off into collecting RAF insignia and uniform very easily. Specialising just works better for me.

Damn shame about the Scots Guards cap but 10/10 for pup's efforts, I'm sure he/she was just trying to save you a little money

It's good to see someone who doesn't match the stereotypical collector profile - male, over 40 e.t.c. We need more people from "the other side", oh and youngsters too.

[74Squadrongirl]

Yes, I'm intrigued by the book, would like to know more please.

She(the pup) is a flaming nuisance, she likes stealing Guards ST's and a Coldstream Guards badge the other week. Looked me dead in the eye as she slowly and gently retreated to her bed with it

It worries me the lack of young blood in the hobby, but it's not surprising. It's an expensive, difficult game to get into.

On a separate note it does amuse me in antiques shops when I say I'm after militaria I'm always ushered to the vintage clothes, I bought that ugly Zuckerman on Friday and the chap couldn't believe it, he actually took a step back and said "really?" when I said I collected military headgear.  At militaria fairs I stick out like a sore thumb, it makes me laugh, I've had people from BBF asking how they'll recognise me at a fair, well erm you'll spot me easily enough!

I go read your PM

[AndyGPR]

PM sent

I thought only moths had a penchant for shoulder titles?.

I do agree about the need to attract some youngsters into collecting. Maybe if some of us got organised into local groups and visited nearby cadet detachments, that might be a start. Not sure if the same would work with schools, cadets on the other hand already have an interest.

Not a bad thing to check through rails of vintage clothes, wouldn't be the first time a wartime denison smock or nice battledress jacket has been found in such places. Talking of headgear, I struck lucky the other week and found a bargain near-mint black kangol beret on ebay; despite being clearly marked "1944", it was listed in the "militaria - date unknown" category .

 

 

Edited March 19, 2016 by AndyGPR

[74Squadrongirl]

Good idea that, would make sense that cadets might have more interest.

You did get lucky! I love it when that happens, have found a few hackles and badges that way. Also with RRF/NF because of St George people often get confused, sometimes to my advantage sometimes not. Some you win, some you lose

 

[Jerry B]

Ali, you certainly get about.  MKV's are outside my area, mostly I have MKI's, MKII's and one MKIII.  Though as you know I do have a few caps!

 

 

[74Squadrongirl]

I  beg your pardon Jerry, would you care to rephrase that! 

A few caps is possibly an understatement. 

[Tony]

Aren't the red liner bands usually dated? The dates I've seen in them are usually 1972 but I'm not sure if the helmet itself is dated.