Hello all, Would it be possible for somebody to help me ID a British helmet please? I picked this up at the weekend as I liked the paint finish but I am unsure as to whether or not it is WW2? The green finish is textured inside and out, but the markings are faint - possibly SS 41? Does anybody know what the black stripes are too? The liner has seen better days but stamped CCL 1941 and I think the strap a mkIII? Any help very much appreciated. Thank you, Shaun
JSS indicates the manufacturer Joseph Sankey of Bilston. I'd have expected some other markings as well but the finish is thickly applied. I'm not sure about the colour on a computer screen. It doesn't look like the Khaki green that I'd have expected for 1941. The black markings are simply where a pile of helmets have been stacked and the 'Rexine' linings have stuck.
As Rich said. That black ring is indicative of storage - Britain sold off it's reserve stocks decades ago however there are still stocks popping up from other countries who got reconditioned or new ex British stocks under post war/cold war aid - currently Denmark seems to be the main source however Belgium and Greece are among the candidates. Evidently the dealers can get a better price in the UK. It does however result in some non standard colours, combinations of components and markings. Forgive me if you have read similar from me about battledress/respirators/webbing etc.... Also, thank you from the bottom of my heart for not calling it a 'Brodie'!
