20th Century My MkII and Mk 6 helmets

[ScottG]

I am no expert on these and they were more targets of opportunity when I obtained them. I found the MkII at a local antique store a few years back and it was only $15.00 so I just bought it as the net was worth that. I am pretty certain that the previous owner put it on there but its a decent two color net and the helmet has a 42 dated liner. The top padding is deteriorated to a small circle and that is about all I know on this one.    Scott

[ScottG]

The Mk 6 came out of a local (since closed) surplus store and at the time it was $19.99 so again, with the cover and net it just seemed like an easy decision. Overall appears in great condition and is dated from the early 90s.    Scott

[ScottG]

[Mark K]

Morning Scott 1'st off lets discuss the Mk II the net it is indeed Canadian in origins late in 1942 a new two tone brown and green net was approved for use by the troops they can be found manufactured in one of two ways and variations can be seen in a tight woven mesh and or a more economic knotted design which was meant to speed up the manufacturing process and meet the demand of the troops heading to the theatre of operations.

This particular net was likely manufactured in late 1943 through early 1945 we can tell this as the net is quite large in circumference they were manufactured a we bit larger than the 1'st variation nets so they could be used on the British Mk III and or the US M-1.

You will find images of 1'st and 2'nd variations below for comparison..

Now in regards to the helmet I as well believe it is Canadian in origins and the helmet body should be stamped on the underside of the rim if it is Canadian it would have been manufactured by one of three companies.

-The Canadian Motorlamp Company of Windsor Ontario, there helmet bodies were marked ( C.L./C. ).

-General Steel Wares of Toronto there helmet bodies will be found marked ( G.S.W. )

 

-Aluminium Goods Company of Toronto there helmet bodies will be marked ( A.G./C.)

-General Steel Wares ( G.S.W. ) also manufactured shells for the Department of Pensions and Health for use by the Air-Raids Precautions Service (ARP).

These have their chin strap lugs, welded and not riveted through the rim.
consequently all helmet shells produced by this maker from mid 1942 and on will only be manufactured from mild steel ( magnetic) .A.R.P. helmets have no date or batch number and are marked G.S.W. DP&H.

I have posted images below of the two different type of chinstrap lugs as used on Canadian Mk II helmets for comparison

The liner to my eyes is Canadian as well you had mentioned it was dated to 1942 can you confirm if it bares the stamp ( VMC ) if so it was manufactured by the Viceroy Manufacturing Company of Toronto Ontario (VMC) and were constructed with oilcloth for the head liner ,fibre for the liner bands and suspension, and a cloth inner padded ring for comfort ,with the exception of the buffers which were manufactured from rubber .
The first contracts were awarded in January of 1940 all Canadian war time produced liners should bare the manufacturers logo ( VMC ) followed by the designation stamp which will either be a Mk I or Mk II, size and the date embossed in the liner band it is not uncommon to find a white C-/l\ ink stamp on the interior stamped on the liner band and in some cases the inspectors ink mark can be seen as well stamped under the C-/l\ as well. The manufacturers mark and date codes on later war produced liners can at times also be found as well on the reverse sides of the liner bands and will not be evident till the liner is removed from the helmet for further inspection. 
In July, 1941 a minor change was instituted in the Mk II linings produced by VMC they were fitted with steel wire clips to retain the rubber buffers in place on the lining band which would make for easier servicing and replacement 
a further modification was introduced in late 1942 or early 1943; when the position of the buffers and placement of the vertical bands was altered to allow a deeper more comfortable fit. The linings with the buffer retention spring were designated the Lining Mk II those without springs were retroactively designated the Lining Mk I.

I have added a couple of images below of markings found in Canadian Mk II liners as produced by ( VMC )

Regards Mark

[ScottG]

Thanks for the info Mark, and sorry for the late responses. My Sons are home for the weekend and on Saturdays I work at my museum. I checked the helmet and you are correct on the liner it is VMC II and 1942. The helmet itself has tow sets of markings. In the dome is a black ink/paint stamp with VI  6  55 R in each corner of the stamp. Stamped into the steel underside of the brim is 430 and 1943. Thank you for all of the info!    Scott

[Mark K]

Sorry Scott I got a bit carried away with the description any chance on some pictures of the manufactures marks stamped in the steel as I am more than a bit curious now ..

 

Regards Mark 

[ScottG]

Here are a few more pics Mark. Hope they are clear enough as I am a terrible photographer...   Scott