leon21 Posted December 27, 2022 Author Share Posted December 27, 2022 Here's another WW1 British made helmet again by Hadfields Ltd of Sheffield both Manufacturer and Steel Supplier. This helmet was issued to the American 36th Infantry Division, has no chinstrap and the liner is in very poor condition. Photos from other sources. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leon21 Posted January 4, 2023 Author Share Posted January 4, 2023 Here's a WW2 Brodie helmet used by the Police, shell stamped G24 BMB 1939 liner also made by Briggs Motor Bodies Ltd of Birmingham and dated 1939. I have one of these helmets but mine is stamped G31 BMB 1939. Photos from other sources. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy1418 Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 Does anyone know when Hadfield changed the H/S to HS stamp or did they alternate between the two 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leon21 Posted January 16, 2023 Author Share Posted January 16, 2023 Welcome to the forum Tommy1418, it looks like Hadfield changed to the HS stamp mark round about 1916 when the new improvements were added. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leon21 Posted January 19, 2023 Author Share Posted January 19, 2023 Here's a MKII South African helmet shell made by TSP=Transvaal Steel Pressing Syndicate Ltd of Johnnesburg, I found on a Saturday Market last weekend, cost me all of £8. I'm in two minds, do I strip it back to its original colour which you can still see inside, or just leave it black as a home front civil defence helmet and add a new reproduction liner? I doubt I could find a used original Jager Rand liner for it now? 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gildwiller1918 Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 Up to you Leon, I would personally restore to its original look, but that is my opinion. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leon21 Posted January 19, 2023 Author Share Posted January 19, 2023 I might try some paint stripper on a small area of the inside rim to see how easy the black paint will come off first. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gildwiller1918 Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 Good thinking, dependent on the paint used, it could be easy or hard, I once cleaned one off that I thought would be difficult, but it was a water based paint and came off very easily. Good luck! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leon21 Posted January 25, 2023 Author Share Posted January 25, 2023 Update Well I stripped the black off the inside first, it came off quite easy so I then did the outside again it came off easy. The inside retains most of its original sand paint but the outside of the shell has very little sand paint left, I think this is why it was painted black to make it more presentable. What I have noticed is there are traces of three different paint colours ie- Green, Brown, and sand. After some research on the history of these helmets they were first painted in the standard UDF Green in about 1938, and later in a darker UDF Green and later in a Desert Sand. Helmets destined for troops in the Italian Campaign were painted in a Brown colour, so this helmet has seen some service in its time. So it looks like I will have to do a full restoration paint job on the outside shell, but I will leave the inside with its original look. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gildwiller1918 Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 Great job cleaning it up! What color are you going to paint the exterior? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leon21 Posted January 26, 2023 Author Share Posted January 26, 2023 I will try and find a sand colour as close as I can to the original paint. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatenki Posted February 9, 2023 Share Posted February 9, 2023 Hello, I recently found this helmet in a charity shop and i'm trying to find out some more about it. It has the stamps G44 and 1/1939 on the helmet and 6 3/4, TTC and 1/1939 marks on the liner, which I have tried to identify and this led me to this forum. Can anyone help me narrow down what the marks mean and a little more about the helmet? Many thanks in advance 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leon21 Posted February 9, 2023 Author Share Posted February 9, 2023 Welcome to the forum Boatenki, that's a nice looking helmet you have, the stamp mark G44 is a makers Batch lot code. Possibly made by Briggs Motor Bodies Ltd, the liner is made by the Teddy Toy Co Ltd size 6 3/4, dated 1/1939. Hope this helps. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatenki Posted February 10, 2023 Share Posted February 10, 2023 Thanks Leon, that's great. Do you think this was an army issue helmet or for another purpose, and is it a Mk 1 or Mk 2? Also, do you think it is the original liner, even though it is made by another company? Many thanks 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leon21 Posted February 10, 2023 Author Share Posted February 10, 2023 I would say the helmet is a MKI* the helmet looks like it was used by a home front civil defence member. the liner is period and dated the same as the helmet so it's not uncommon to find a different makers liner in their helmets, both these manufacturers were based in Dagenham. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatenki Posted February 11, 2023 Share Posted February 11, 2023 Thanks Leon, Really interesting stuff. Definitely adds more context to my new talking piece. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leon21 Posted February 14, 2023 Author Share Posted February 14, 2023 Well I finished painting the helmet, first with a primer then with a very light sand colour, it looked to light when dried so I rubbed damp sand over the outside to darken it and bring out the texture of the original paint. I managed to find an original used liner from the 1940s made by Fisher Foil Ltd size 6 1/2 and in good condition. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gildwiller1918 Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 Nice work Leon, looks good. Did this helmet have any unit markings on the exterior? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leon21 Posted February 15, 2023 Author Share Posted February 15, 2023 Sadly no I didn't find any when cleaning it up. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulw1834 Posted March 12, 2023 Share Posted March 12, 2023 Looking for some help regarding a helmet that my 11yr son decided to bid and win at an auction we attended, would the 2 red bands suggest National Fire Service ? Ive managed to find the date and manufacture stamp 1939 EC&Co 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leon21 Posted March 13, 2023 Author Share Posted March 13, 2023 Welcome to the forum Paulw1834, yes the helmet was used by a member of the NFS, 2 narrow red bands = a Section Officer/Leader. A Section comprised of 5 fire pumps with one Section Officer/Leader, their is a post in the Section British Medals and Badges ( and other Items ) including helmets listed as AFS/NFS Badges you might take a look at for more information. The maker mark EC&Co = E.Camelinat & Co Ltd Birmingham who made them from 1939-1944. Can I ask what you intend to do with the helmet? the original colour is still showing on the helmet rim which was a dark green colour. Hope this helps. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulw1834 Posted March 13, 2023 Share Posted March 13, 2023 Thks for the reply We intend leaving it as is, my son has a small collection of service helmets/cap this now being part of that growing collection, ive given it a spray of wd40 to hopefully reduce the rusting condition, would you have any idea as to the numbers on the strap ? There is what seems to be a faded name the left but the camera cant view it, any idea on value, regards Paul 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leon21 Posted March 13, 2023 Author Share Posted March 13, 2023 The numbers on the chin strap is a Webbing Pattern Equipment Stores Reference Number. If the helmet has loose rust try cleaning it with fine wire wool and warm water it works a treat removing rust. Can I ask what your son paid for it? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulw1834 Posted March 13, 2023 Share Posted March 13, 2023 (edited) I did remove the light rust to the internal using fine wire wool and acid which lifted the rust leaving the paint, £21.30Looking for some help regarding a helmet that my 11yr son decided to bid and win at an auction we attended, would the 2 red bands suggest National Fire Service ? Ive managed to find the date and manufacture stamp 1939 EC&Co Edited March 13, 2023 by paulw1834 Incorrectly detailed 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leon21 Posted March 14, 2023 Author Share Posted March 14, 2023 That was a fair price for what the helmet is, these N.F.S helmets complete in reasonable condition command a high price today, you can expect to pay £200 + for them. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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