British helmet ?

[matty]

Hey all can anyone confirm that this is a british ww2 era helmet, it for some reason has a german sticker on the side of it which proably is meant to represent a decal. also is it original because its in perfect condition

pic1
pic2

thanks.

[leigh kitchen]

If the sticker / decal is a small black / red / yellow flag, perhaps it's Belgian?

[Peter Moelans]

It's a Belgian postwar one.....at least the liner is.

[LeeG]

Any stampings on the liner? If it is WW2 it will have a date and a size, e.g., "1942 7-1/4". If postwar Belgian the size stamp will be metric. This one looks like it is probably Belgian.

I believe these shells are WW2 British however. There may be a year and maker stamp on the shell near the chinstrap bale and/or near the crimped rim.

[ROBB]

Those brown liners are not british ww2 ,the helmet is a post war job.Rob.

[matty]

ahh yes sorry it is a belgium flag, can see any marking on the linear but on the rims inside it says

56
ABL
1949
XB
1950

[Peter Moelans]

ABL= Armée Belge - Belgisch Leger ('Belgian army' in french and dutch). You will find most of these helmets 1949 dated

[LeeG]

Aren't the shells for these Belgian helmets originally WW2 British? I was under the impression the Belgians got a load of surplus WW2 shells, fit them with their own liners, and painted their national emblem on the helmet.

[leigh kitchen]

I thought so. Saw a beauty once, green & brown camo, Belgian flag on the side - a red & white decal of the Huntingdonshire Cyclists / Hunts Home Guard on the front.They d'nt make them like that anymore. Wrong I suppose they do.

[Peter Moelans]

Aren't the shells for these Belgian helmets originally WW2 British? I was under the impression the Belgians got a load of surplus WW2 shells, fit them with their own liners, and painted their national emblem on the helmet.

Possible...but they mainly used stickers in the post-war period I think. The painted flags might be Brigade Piron (or immediatly post war).

[Frentebro]

The Belg-made shells have a slight depression on top in which the bolt head sits.

[Peter_Suciu]

What is the going price on these? I use to see them going for $15-$25. Now I see the prices closer to $50. Makes me think I should buy one!

[Frentebro]

Northridge International has them for $25.