British MKIII Helmet

[DJT]

Hi Guys,

This is the first "turtle" helmet I have ever owned. I think actual proper wartime MKIII examples are fairly scarce? Although my knowledge and experience with these is far from extensive, I believe this is a good one (but I would like to hear what everyone else thinks). The shell is stamped with a maker name and is dated 1944. The liner configuration appears to be the correct type and original to the helmet. Chin strap seems correct for this type of helmet also. Here are some photos.

[DJT]

front view

[DJT]

liner

[DJT]

shell markings, sorry they did not come out well despite some help in photoshop

[DJT]

this shot of the markings is slightly better

[DJT]

And now the most interesting bit. The helmet was sold to me with a helmet net (not shown). After purchasing the helmet and taking it home, I removed the net to examine the helmet. I discovered stencilled letters to the front. "MP" The letters were done in white paint (Some of the paint is peeking through the green overcoat). Here is a close up

[DJT]

A better view. I suppose its impossible to know exactly when the "MP" was put on OR covered up. Maybe wartime or maybe post war? I think its a nice helmet though. Also forgot to mention that on the inside the initials "KR" are lightly scratched. Perhaps they belong to the original owner.

[ynot]

Hello Des,

Those chinstrap rivets look to be nice and high, just where they should be on a MKIII.

Tony

[ROBB]

Des looks like a nice scarce wartime helmet ,with the correct type of chinstrap and liner .Rob.

[leigh kitchen]

Is that definitely "MP"?

It may just be me, but I'm reading "NP"?

[DJT]

Hi,

Yes I am pretty sure it is MP?. They used a weird stencil where the middle part of the "M" is 2 parts. If you understand me? I have outlined the "MP" around the stencil with white. Excuse my shaky freehand but you should get a better impression.

p.s What would NP stand for?

[helmhunter]

Hi Des,
What kind of paint there is now on the helmet ?
Perhaps a post-war repaint over the original rough kaki-green ?
Philippe

[mandy333]

Greetings Des: The construction of the helmet is a fine example of an early MKIII turtleshell. Along with the most important feature, being the high chinstrap rivets (2" above the rim) the other very important feature is the small brass screw that attaches the liner to the shell.The later issue MKIII(which were still WW2) had the chinstrap rivets 3/4" above the rim and the brass screw that attached the liner was changed to a pop rivet. The paint doesn't look right ,but it could be removed with furniture stripper if done carefully. All in all a first class example. All the best!
Zeke

[Frentebro]

Yes, semi-gel paint stripper will remove overpaint & normally will not remove the baked-on original finish (test on a small inconspicuous spot) but it may be hard to save the MP stencil. Some original helmet finishes are not baked on, stripper will remove them.

Note, We have some Brit/Comwealth experts (among others, like Paolo Marzetti)at http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/mi...collectorsclub

[DJT]

Thanks for the feedback guys I think you might be right about the overpaint. I will have a look for that type of paint remover and carefully try it.
Thanks again