WW2 British Helmet device - what is this?
WW2 British Helmet device - what is this?
Hi there fellow enthusiasts,
Can anyone shed any light (possibly used for a flashlight?) on the device attached to this MK2? The helmet is marked 1943 BMB and is a light olive color but it's the device that I can't identify after exhaustive searching! My guess is that it held a 'torch' (flashlight) and that the helmet may have been used by A.R.P. or post post war by the Dutch due to the liner. Any thoughts? I have a photo of the underside of the device showing how it latches around the rim of the helmet but alas, I can only add 3 photos at this time. (Sigh)
Thanks,
Donald
Can anyone shed any light (possibly used for a flashlight?) on the device attached to this MK2? The helmet is marked 1943 BMB and is a light olive color but it's the device that I can't identify after exhaustive searching! My guess is that it held a 'torch' (flashlight) and that the helmet may have been used by A.R.P. or post post war by the Dutch due to the liner. Any thoughts? I have a photo of the underside of the device showing how it latches around the rim of the helmet but alas, I can only add 3 photos at this time. (Sigh)
Thanks,
Donald
- Attachments
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- Top of helmet where device is attached
- 4Helmet_attachment_modified.JPG (100.26 KiB) Viewed 1469 times
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- Helmet Device Close up
- 5Helmet_attachment_modified.JPG (83.85 KiB) Viewed 1469 times
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- Device on MK2 Helmet
- 1Helmet_attachment_modified.JPG (88.72 KiB) Viewed 1469 times
- phylo_roadking
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Re: WW2 British Helmet device - what is this?
Donald - is the spring grip brazed/welded askew on the strap like that???
Twenty years ago we had Johnny Cash, Bob Hope and Steve Jobs. Now we have no Cash, no Hope and no Jobs....
Lord, please keep Kevin Bacon alive...
Lord, please keep Kevin Bacon alive...
Re: WW2 British Helmet device - what is this?
No weld, the spring piece you're referring to has a rivet through the strap. I could take it off the helmet and photograph it separately if the need should arise. The device appears to have been on the helmet for a loooong time. Thanks.
- phylo_roadking
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- Location: Belfast
Re: WW2 British Helmet device - what is this?
Hi, I should have expressed that better - is it free to turn on the rivet, or attached tightly?
Twenty years ago we had Johnny Cash, Bob Hope and Steve Jobs. Now we have no Cash, no Hope and no Jobs....
Lord, please keep Kevin Bacon alive...
Lord, please keep Kevin Bacon alive...
Re: WW2 British Helmet device - what is this?
Right...I realized what you were asking after I posted. It does not turn NOW but I wonder if it once did? I don't know. I could try WD-40. Hope that clears it up a bit.
- Mark in Cleveland, Tn.
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Re: WW2 British Helmet device - what is this?
This is a super rare Bicyclist Helmet. This bracket held a rear-view mirror set up that helped the soldier see who was behind him...
Re: WW2 British Helmet device - what is this?
Seriously? You're not just pulling this old guys leg, are you? I've heard everything from a beer holder for football games to a fattie holder so I'm very skeptical (and easily duped!). If you're being serious...are there any websites that you're aware of that describe its' use?
Thanks.
Thanks.
- Mark in Cleveland, Tn.
- Member
- Posts: 5768
- Joined: 27 Jul 2004, 02:30
- Location: Cleveland ,tennessee
Re: WW2 British Helmet device - what is this?
My friend, just messing with you!!
Could this me a non miliary used miners helmet ?
Miners lamp attached ?? possible !!!!
Could this me a non miliary used miners helmet ?
Miners lamp attached ?? possible !!!!
Re: WW2 British Helmet device - what is this?
Anything is possible. The BMB 1943 markings stamped on the helmet made me assume they were WW2 period. I doubt Briggs Motor Bodies Ltd, Dagenham (British helmet and liner manufacturer) would have made this helmet for a miner...but again, anything is possible. Thanks.
Re: WW2 British Helmet device - what is this?
Maybe NFS? Helmet looks a bit more grey than olive in the photo and I think they did have some helmet mounted torches though I can't find a picture of one currently...
Cheers.
Cheers.
"It was like Hungary being between Germany and the Soviet Union. What sort of choice was that? Which language would you like your firing squad to speak?" Tibor Fischer 'Under the Frog'.
Re: WW2 British Helmet device - what is this?
Thanks for the most recent post...yes, the helmet is more of a grey color. NFS? What is the acronym short for please?
Re: WW2 British Helmet device - what is this?
Sorry, should have been clearer, NFS is National Fire Service, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Fire_ServiceYoda1959 wrote:What is the acronym short for please?
Cheers.
"It was like Hungary being between Germany and the Soviet Union. What sort of choice was that? Which language would you like your firing squad to speak?" Tibor Fischer 'Under the Frog'.
- phylo_roadking
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- Joined: 01 May 2006, 00:31
- Location: Belfast
Re: WW2 British Helmet device - what is this?
Ah, that's a thought!....and spot the screw fitting on the crown!
Twenty years ago we had Johnny Cash, Bob Hope and Steve Jobs. Now we have no Cash, no Hope and no Jobs....
Lord, please keep Kevin Bacon alive...
Lord, please keep Kevin Bacon alive...
Re: WW2 British Helmet device - what is this?
As the photos Phylo has posted show, NFS helmets came in different shades and whilst they were supposed to have the NFS badge and the force number (see http://wwiifire.co.uk/Fire%20Forces.htm ) on them, many clearly did not. To further complicate matters, photos also seem to show the NFS used grey, khakhi and black helmets.
Like many other things on the Homefront in '40-'41, it seems NFS uniform was cobbled together from available stocks, hence a mix of pre-war municipal fire brigades, armed forces and even (apparently) Royal Mail uniform. It's an interesting area that I've only read bits and bobs on, if anyone can recommend a good book on the NFS I'd be keen to hear.
Of course this could be a complete red herring I'm afraid Donald!
Cheers.
Like many other things on the Homefront in '40-'41, it seems NFS uniform was cobbled together from available stocks, hence a mix of pre-war municipal fire brigades, armed forces and even (apparently) Royal Mail uniform. It's an interesting area that I've only read bits and bobs on, if anyone can recommend a good book on the NFS I'd be keen to hear.
Of course this could be a complete red herring I'm afraid Donald!
Cheers.
"It was like Hungary being between Germany and the Soviet Union. What sort of choice was that? Which language would you like your firing squad to speak?" Tibor Fischer 'Under the Frog'.
- phylo_roadking
- Member
- Posts: 17488
- Joined: 01 May 2006, 00:31
- Location: Belfast
Re: WW2 British Helmet device - what is this?
The Fire Service Museum in London should be able to help on that, they've certainly been very cooperative over the last few years with a number of contributors to CMV writing about the NFS/AFS' heavier equipment...!if anyone can recommend a good book on the NFS I'd be keen to hear.
EDIT: I've just come across this list of titles elsewhere, but no authors or ISBN nos....
-- Organized Against Fire: A Short Organisational History of the London Fire Brigade and Its Predecessors from 1833 to 1996.
-- From Canada Against Fire: A Short Account of the Corps of (civilian) Canadian Fire Fighters Which Operated in Wartime Britain as Part of the National Fire Service Between 1942 and 1945.
-- Overseas Against Fire: A Short Account of the Overseas Contingent of the National Fire Service with Particular Reference to No.4 Overseas Column in the North West Europe Theatre of War During 1945.
-- London Fire Service Directory of Auxiliary Sub-stations September 1939 to August 1941.
-- United Against Fire: The NFS 1941-1948.
Twenty years ago we had Johnny Cash, Bob Hope and Steve Jobs. Now we have no Cash, no Hope and no Jobs....
Lord, please keep Kevin Bacon alive...
Lord, please keep Kevin Bacon alive...