Jump to content

Mk II flashed to the 1e Division France Libre...


Mark K
 Share

Recommended Posts

I had known of the existence of this Mk II for some time and it always intrigued me I was fortunate to be able to add it to my shelf it had been in a private collection here in Canada and was purchased out of the US a number of years ago...

The manufacturer's mark in the helmet body is hard to make out but with that said I am 100% positive it was produced by ( BMB ) Briggs Motor Bodies Ltd - of Dagenham ,England - 1939 – 1945.. It is sporting 1940 dated liner in a size of 7 1/4 that was manufactured by ( TTC ) Teddy Toy Company Ltd -- Dagenham ,England - 1939 – 1941..

It does show nice age and patina to the hand painted flashes on the side of the helmet body and would have what would appear to be the remnants of a yellow hand painted cross of Lorraine on the front just above the spot welds to the rim joint...

IMO the age to the painted flashes is consistent to the wear and age on the helmet body and I believe that this is a wartime example of a Mk II that was used by the F.F.F. after the exodus from France...

It has been suggested that it may have been used by a Colonial Free French Forces as most of the Free French in Great Britain were issued and or used the US M-1 helmet.. Could it possibly have been used by one of the French Colonial armies who fought in North Africa ,Italy and or Southern France so many unanswered questions...

A friend and fellow collector did point out that he had seen period images of Mk II's used by the French in North Africa....and a lot of Adrian's and M 1917 A-1. and so speculated possibly Operation Dragoon and or one of the North African campaign..

There was but one reference found to this type of flash used on a Mk II helmet in a French publication so at the least gives a stepping stone to further research.. The helmet was reportedly used by members of the 1e Division France Libre.( 1st Free French Division.)

I have included a few period images that are believed to have been taken in Southern Italy and or Africa that does indeed support that this particular type of helmet being the ( Mk II ) baring the same flash was used in the Theatre of Operations...

 

Regards Mark 

20200720_180132.jpg

20200720_180140.jpg

20200720_180202.jpg

20200720_180213.jpg

20200720_180228.jpg

20200720_180241.jpg

20200720_180258.jpg

20200720_180315.jpg

20200720_180328.jpg

20200720_180339.jpg

20200720_180355.jpg

20200720_180404.jpg

20200720_180453.jpg

20200720_180506.jpg

20200720_180525.jpg

20200720_180544.jpg

20200720_180605.jpg

27907821_1807172012649029_7383362391037603339_o.jpg

28056579_1807182959314601_524812362124063364_n.jpg

108929365_3409950169037864_2059696633610513755_n.jpg

27857898_1807184965981067_7295553680423841851_n.jpg

27752430_1807184972647733_681115486610267382_n.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...