Fresh-Found British paratrooper helmet

[Cyrano]

Nice fresh, out of the woodwork find......and my very first British find.

This was sent home by Cpl. Donovan, 5th Army. He joined the army at 18, landed in Africa, fought through Italy and ended up in either France or Belgium. After the war he took hi-speed photos of nuclear detonations.

Anyway, enjoy the helmet--and since I don't really know anything about British helmets, I would appreciate any education in this subject.

I gather this is a MkI BMB produced para helmet. I did not notice any markings on the shell or straps. The paint and texture on this is really wonderful and is almost minty. Reminds me of the corking on US helmets, which I do collect.

[Cyrano]

P.S.

Anyone know why the leather liner is cut? Were they using every bit of leather possible, including the scraps?

[SMP]

Beautiful condition ! You are correct about the type of helmet. There will be markings in the shell, but you will never see them because the paint is too thick. Chinstraps were never marked.
I suspect the owner cut the liner himself to improve access to the chinstrap bolts. It would not have left the factory like this.

The net is WW2 Canadian.

Lovely helmet !

[Beau Brummel.]

They would sometimes cut the liner for a better fit If It was a little tight.

Yours, Guy.

[dragnet]

A very clean example indeed, nice catch.

[tubist73]

Wow - nice looking example indeed, inside and out.

Matthew

[TORCH03]

Awesome helmet! Congrats!

[no 1 pts school]

para helmet

nice to see a 43 dated helmet ......very little use .....only problem is the head band cut in half .... will have an effect on the price of the helmet if it was to be sold on ....pity really other wise a scarce helmet...also the felt has been removed from the head band .....

paul....

[Cyrano]

Thank you all for the nice comments and information gents, much appreciated!

[grndevil44]

yeah nice pick up and story, worth keeping this one

[meatnveg71]

What a great helmet in very good order too

[simon19]

Hi, very nice helmet. It is beautiful !
Simon.

[Naaficook]

The netting shows a modern lace ....is the netting original to the helmet???

[cw2311]

Yup! Looks like modern para cord.

[Cyrano]

Hi all, Thanks again for the nice comments! The veteran was active in the military into the 1950's. Another member had mentioned the bottom lace seemed post war. Either way, this is how it was handed to me and I just happen to like the net the way it is. Cheers!