Leo Posted August 9, 2022 Share #1 Posted August 9, 2022 Ok so I’ll start this by saying I have never collected British items. I had a Tommy helmet a few years ago but that’s it, my dads father served in Burma and his father served in Monty’s 8th Army at Al Alamein but never got into collecting Brit militaira. In fact I don’t know anyone who does, I’ve collects USMC for so long now I wouldn’t even know where to start. This story starts off with a phone call from a friend going to a House sale in Leicester. He regularly visits clearances and sales for jewelry etc and I have said if anything camouflage comes up please give me a call. So I receive 2 photos of him In the car with this helmet and he asks if I’m interested, the lady states her husband had died some years ago and the house was too big so she was downgrading, she was well in her 80s. She went to the garage and said her husband had kept this for years in there and here it is. No other Militaria whatsoever just this. I have absolutely no expletive whatsoever with British items but I know real Camo when I see it and that Orange colour I had seen before because it’s on a 6th armoured lid I have, and I know that it was used in the Italian campaign. Well her it is, when it arrived and peeled back the box and bubble wrap that musty smell of garage and 80 years of funk hit me with delight. WW2 British paratrooper helmet made by BMB 1943 and what looks to be camouflaged for the Sicily campaign in mid/late 1943 for No2 Commando. After researching Combines operations I learnt a lot about the history of combined operations and there landings. Compiled of Land sea and air forces branches of the British military, Combined Operations made a huge contribution to the successful outcome of the Second World War by undertaking dozens of Commando raids and landings, mostly against the Axis forces, from Norway in the north to Madagascar in the south and from North Africa and the Mediterranean in the west to the Far East, culminating in the D-Day Invasion on the 6th of June 1944. I never Knew anything about this subject unit until I received the helmet with the insignia. The helmet is a typical and classic WW2 camouflage helmet, I would go as far to say this is probably one of the best camouflaged helmets I have had the pleasure of holding and seeing in hand. The black and orange are beautifully done. The insignia is really something, the white paint has ages to a filthy off white but has been done also beautifully. Thick strokes of the brush with a thumb print also in the paint. I’ve added many pictures with 1000% macro shots of the paint and it’s many layers. It all shows correct ageing with rust penetrating through its layers, micro cracking and bleed through. The inside is filthy and heavily used with the leather liner having had the rear straps cut for comfort I’m guessing, the leather is still all there on the chin cup. I hope you enjoy seeing this one as much as I enjoyed receiving it. Ant info also would be greatly appreciated. - Dean My 6th armoured Helmet to show the same orange used for its camo. Some great info on Commando Paras and the end of combined operations late 1946 Finally the very first pics I received coming back from the house sale in Leicester Exciting day Link to comment
Leo Posted August 9, 2022 Author Share #2 Posted August 9, 2022 Here is some more info on no2 Commando they also dropped in Salerno Italy in September 1943 ! And wore the badge of the combined operations https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._2_Commando Link to comment
Otter42 Posted August 9, 2022 Share #3 Posted August 9, 2022 Fantastic helmet, is it tied to the wives husband that passed away? Or did he just have it for some reason? Hopefully you got his name. Thanks for sharing. Link to comment
Leo Posted August 9, 2022 Author Share #4 Posted August 9, 2022 18 minutes ago, Otter42 said: Fantastic helmet, is it tied to the wives husband that passed away? Or did he just have it for some reason? Hopefully you got his name. Thanks for sharing. Thanks Otter I’m getting info hopefully from the guy that got it who is going back to the house Saturday, will keep you updated Link to comment
Preppy Picker Posted August 10, 2022 Share #5 Posted August 10, 2022 Is the chin strap broken? Link to comment
Leo Posted August 10, 2022 Author Share #6 Posted August 10, 2022 No breakage but as discussed before the back has been removed for comfort by the vet, so it’s worn with the chincup Link to comment
Allan H. Posted August 11, 2022 Share #7 Posted August 11, 2022 This is just a phenomenal piece. I am so happy that we were able to see it in all of its glory. Your photos are outstanding. Thanks for sharing it with us. Allan Link to comment
Leo Posted August 11, 2022 Author Share #8 Posted August 11, 2022 17 minutes ago, Allan H. said: This is just a phenomenal piece. I am so happy that we were able to see it in all of its glory. Your photos are outstanding. Thanks for sharing it with us. Allan Thankyou Allan I appreciate the kind comments, and glad I could give the community some eye candy Link to comment
Paul Cooke Posted August 23, 2022 Share #9 Posted August 23, 2022 Wonderful item. Lucky find indeed! Link to comment
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