20th Century 1944 Dated BMB Mk II HSAT

[Mark K]

This particular example looks like it shows a we bit of usage 1944 dated BMB Mk II HSAT that still retains almost all of it's original factory painted textured finish and the net has left a ghost impression on the exterior of the helmet body...

The liner and helmet body where produced by Briggs Motor Bodies Ltd. of Dagenham, England ( BMB ) It is in a nice large size of 7 3/4 the crown pad is present with the faint outline of chalk around it ,

The net is a mid to late war manufactured and the scrim has been tied on and woven through it for many years IMO if this helmet was used at all it would have been for a very short period of time either very late war and or early post war ...

It is hard to make out in the images but there is a rather interesting drawing on the dome pad it is of a small cottage on the edge of a cliff over looking the ocean with birds aloft and a small boat out on the horizon, perhaps it was drawn out of boredom a soldier thinking about home and or drawn by a child that had found a new medium to doodle on we very likely will never know..

 

Regards Mark

[Kia kaha]

That’s a nice mint condition helmet Mark, here’s my B.M.B. 1944 the date is mostly worn off but you can make out the shield and just see 19 44. 

‘B’ COY 15 PARA

Night recognition panel painted on rear of helmet

[Kia kaha]

On 10/30/2018 at 2:10 PM, Bill_Carman said:

This is a very nice attributed (I will respectfully not be naming him) and patched Denison Smock. This particular example does have some holes in the sleeves and some paint marks on the reverse, but overall still very appealing. The smock was worn by a Sergeant of the 15^th (Scottish) Parachute Battalion (TA), later re-designated 15 PARA (SV) in 1967. The smock has a unique individual modification, the zippered pocket going across the upper back. Also it has the white night tabbing marker under the rear collar. The Sergeant was a qualified Assistant Parachute Jump Instructor (APJI) and those are the wings displayed on the right sleeve along with the drop zone flash for the 15 (Scottish Volunteer) Battalion and his sergeant strips. On the left sleeve is again the drop zone flash and above it is a small Company Indicator patch, originally green (B Company) it has faded to a light blue. On the inside front right is a very nice makers label showing height and chest measurements along with the contract number.

 

Denison Smocks like this one are becoming more and more difficult to find. I was happy to become the caretaker of this example and it is displayed in the living room fitted with Pattern 58 web gear that I also received from the Sergeant.

 

 

Thanks for looking.

 

the above HSAT would match Bills airborne smock.

[Mark K]

A very nice well used HSAT with a long service life post war love the fact that we can determine whom it was issued to and which particular Airborne Battalion that he served in.. I have a few jump smocks and HSAT's in my collection and Bill is correct they are getting much tougher to come by now I will post up a few more as time permits..

 

Regards Mark 

[Kia kaha]

Thanks Mark, 

I forgot to say it’s also named, L/CPL McIntosh B Coy