PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Constructed entirely of non-magnetic manganese steel, this pot shaped helmet, with an uneven all-round visor, retains almost all of its rough textured olive-drab paint. There are a few lines of black paint splashed around the exterior. A separate stainless steel rim, that is folded around the edge of the visor and spot welded at the back, exhibits expected edge wear. The helmet slopes up sharply from the front visor going over the pot shaped body and slopes down the back at a more gradual angle to a larger flare at the rear. The visor slopes down at the sides to allow better protection for the temple and ear areas. Stamped to the interior at the rear of the helmet is a makers mark and date "BMB" (Briggs Motor Bodies Ltd), "45", "D71 MK 4". The MK III pattern liner is the same as a MK II liner with the addition of a lift-the-dot fastener at is center. It includes a head harness of five tongues cut from a single piece of black patent leather, folded and stitched to each of their tapered ends to form tunnel loops for the adjusting drawstring to pass through. Its original black drawstring is still present. The head harness is stitched to the exterior of a horizontal black fibre headband, which has a olive-drab colored cloth covered rubber strip sewn to its interior, forming a padding between it and the inwardly-folded tongues of the head harness. The exterior of the headband has eight molded rubber buffers fixed between it and the interior surface of the helmet. Two black fibre crown strips are riveted to the horizontal headband and rise vertically, crossing one another to the interior apex of the helmet. A molded, cruciform shaped, rubber pad is fixed, along with the rest of the liner assembly, to the helmet through its central depression by a lift-the-dot fastener. The liner band strapping is marked with "BMB", "II" and the date "1945" and the size "7 1/4". The liner has stiffened and dried with age. The chinstrap is a MKIV strap that was introduced for use on the MKIV steel helmet and was designed for easy removal. The helmet is in very good condition with light surface spotting and dust buildup to the interior while the liner is fully intact with some minor wear to the leather the edge of the headband and light soiling to the leather. A nice, complete, example of an early Mark IV helmet.

GRADE**** 1/2                             PRICE $298.00