PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A second pattern (with a magnetic steel rim instead of a raw edge) Mark l non-magnetic hardened manganese steel helmet. Resembling the helmet worn by English pike    men in the 14th and 15th centuries, this 1916 pattern is basin-shaped with a small rivet to the apex of the crown, fixing the internal liner, and two small split rivets along the apron, one over each ear, for the chin strap securing lugs. Its formed mild steel rim is lapped and welded at the reverse. The exterior surface is finished with rough, sand-infused dark olive drab paint. To the front of the helmet is a painted insignia of a wreath above which is "Egypt" between two horizontal lines with a profile of a sphinx at the very top all in gold on a black background. At the rear is another gold painted insignia of a laurel wreath with what appears to be a smaller profile of a sphinx in the center on a background of black. Both insignia show light wear with the top part of the sphinx missing on the front. To the interior, the crown of the helmet has padding constructed of layered felt with a rubber ring, as introduced in 1917, hidden beneath it. Proceeding from underneath the rivet and washer at this apex is a brown leather strap which passes over the padding, is rivetted to either outer edge of the otherwise freely-floating headband support, and whose ends then terminate in brass loops which run through the larger brass loops of the chin strap securing lugs. Twelve tubular rubber buffers are evenly set into the leather outside of the headband support, whose interior has blackened oilcloth over wool and canvas, forming the headband itself. The leather and rubber of the liner have hardened with age. Above this tongue less headband may be seen netting and an adjustable drawstring. The brown leather chin strap has a nickel-plated steel slide buckle and is looped and rivetted unto the brass loops to the ends of the lining support strap. One end of the chinstrap has a brass cotter split-pin for securing it through the brass loop at the end of the strap coming from the crown. The lining and chin strap were most likely manufactured by the Army and Navy Co-Operative Society Ltd. of London and Walsall. To the underside of the rear brim of the helmet body is stamped "HS / 448;" being the steel supplier’s initial (Hadfields Ltd. of Sheffield during 1916 to 1919) and the code numbers for the batch of steel the helmet was made from. This appears to be a rare helmet and finding information about it is difficult. Any information about the insignia would be appreciated. The helmet retains about 75% of its paint with some light surface spotting and scratching and a couple of small dents mostly to the crown.

Added Oct 18th 2006

Hi Pete, the insignia on the British helmet-C007056 appears to be the emblem of the Gloucestershire Regiment, hope this helps,regards, Martin.

Martin, thank you. Peter

GRADE***1/4                             PRICE $468.00