Post WWII British helmet info please

[nexus-6-mariner]

Hello all. I have recently aquired what i believe to be a post WWII British helmet. Helmets arne't really my bag so to speak so i'm considering off loading it. So i describe it correctly wherever i decide to sell it, i would appreciate as much info on it as you guys can offer.

It appears to be in mint condition. On the side is a small painted Belgian flag. Inside the lining on the black part is stamped:

59
ABL
1949
X.B
1951

How much would i expect to get for such an item?

Thanks in advance. Here's some pics.

[nexus-6-mariner]

The lining.

[nexus-6-mariner]

The stamp on the lining.

[Capazo]

It is a nice Belgian Helmet.

[DJT]

Considering the condition, perhaps 20 pounds?

[nexus-6-mariner]

Is it really Belgian? Was pretty sure it was British.

[Adrian Stevenson]

100% Belgian.

Cheers, Ade.

[nexus-6-mariner]

Now that suprises me. The dates 1949 and 1951? Are they an indication of it's age?

[Haplo]

The dates would be the correct period..
Why theire are 2 datestamps in the liner i don't know.
After the war the Belgians adapted the british MkII style helmet as their owne.
This one is a 100% pure belgian made helmet.
And the price, well i wouldn't give 5 pound for it.
But for someone who collects it it would be more.
I think i will go with Des.
It still is in good condition.

[DJT]

Yes, definitely Belgian (the decal at the side is the Belgian flag) and ABL = Armee Belge/Belgisch Leger. In normal used condition they would maybe make 10 or 15 pounds on eBay. The fact it is in such nice condition would raise the value slightly. By the way if anyone has a wartime British MKII helmet with Belgian decal please get in touch. That would be something nice.

[nexus-6-mariner]

Thanks very much for your help gents. I can always rely on the good folks here for some expertise. I paid £10 for it so i'll try and double my money then add it to my medal fund! Off to e-bay it goes.

[yellow]

I had one of these. A wartime example that was enamelled with the belgian flag on the side. I sold it to that guy at Alford for a fiver.

Steve.

[DJT]

Hiya Steve,

What guy would that be? and was this recently or quite a few years ago?

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Des, if Steve is refering to Trevor B (he used to run a shop there) he is not around anymore, as he is staying somewhere at Her Majesty's pleasure This is not due to any under hand militaria dealings but something far worse.

Cheers, Ade.

[yellow]

The famous "Colonel B".....hes wasnt a real colonel though, thats his local nickname.

When did he get put away Ade?

His shop used to be in Alford Market Place then it moved round the corner onto the main road heading out of Alford. To be honest I wasnt a regular customer there anything that was half decent that came into that shop finished up in the famous Mr Flitters hands from Louth.

Steve.