British para helmet

[kerryboo]

A friend has just given me this British para helmet and I would like some opinions on it. please.
My friend got it from a Para vet, who received a head wound in Normandy in 1944. The bullet went in at the front, passed to the right side, damaging the chinstrap, and wedged between the shell and the rim. The side has bulged out and the paintwork has flaked off, also the rear mounting bolt sheared. I know nothing of British helmets, how does it look to you?
The very worn and paint-spattered 44-dated Denison smock underneath also came from the same man.
Thank you for looking,
Kerry.

[kerryboo]

The inside and rear views, it is possible to see where the chinstrap has been "nicked" by the bullet.

[Mons 1914]

Great item nice find.
Can we see some pictures of the smock as well.

Regards
Scott

[seebee1]

Neat Helmet Kerry, the original owner was very lucky indeed Regards, Clive.

[Gary Jucha]

try

try to get the name of the para who worn the helmet !!!! it is important !!

Gary J.

[SMP]

That's an amazing helmet. It is so important to keep the history with it. I hope you can post some more information about the original owner at a later date.

Regards,
Steve

[grip3846]

Fantastic

That is such a great helmet,as already said,if you can get the name of the soldier it would be the icing on an already fantastic cake. Please show some pics of the Denison,label et al,they are iconic smocks and have quite a following on here....Especially me ha ha
Regards,Ivan

[gertje]

This is like a dream! Acquiring these pieces with this combat account from almost first hand. Congrats!

Marcel

[JEROEN1944]

Great helmet, a keeper. Also nice "woodchip" texture on the helmet. Congrats. Like SMP stated get the name......

Jeroen

[zipper]

" also the rear mounting bolt sheared ". interesting combination, helmets fitted with leather straps usually have two retaining bolts at the rear.

[kerryboo]

Hello Zipper,
Thank you for your observation. From my, extremely limited, knowledge, I too thought that to be the case. Maybe others have some idea? The helmet, came, as I said "direct", so there must be a reason for the mix.

[Jean-Loup]

This looks like a rare case when a brit para helmet can be traced to a precise veteran and campaign. You should try to find out the name of the veteran, and if he is still alive ask him more details about what happened to him. Not doing so would be irresponsable.

JL

[kerryboo]

Well, some time has passed, but I finally have a name. I visited my friend, who gave me the bergen he got, with the helmet and Dennison, from the vet. His name was Hudson, but my friens knows no more. I will try to get some views of the other bits this week. An interesting lot I think, but outside my area of collecting and knowledge. Thanks for looking, Kerry.

[SMP]

A surname is a start, but I fear it will take a bit more info if the vet is to be traced.
Thanks for the update

[kerryboo]

Here are the three back together.