1917 Pattern British Brodie "Cruise" Helmet

A very good and extremely rare example of an original Second Pattern WW1 period British Cruise Helmet named after its designer, Captain Richard Cruise RAMC.

The all important protective mail designed for use by tank drivers and machine gunners remains in very good condition. The articulated nasal bar represents the improvement from the first pattern and was held in place by four springs which also allowed the bar to flipped up over the brim clearing the mail when not needed, a mounting rail attached directly to the helmet brim. Overall condition of the device appears very good, with the first link on the left side detached from the securing rail but appearing to be present. I have not raised the bar due to the age of the springs, but I have no reason to believe the springs would not remain intact.

The shell is without notable damage, retaining a dark grey finish with traces of a Khaki colour underneath. There is evidence of a silver paint dust, perhaps where the helmet has been in the vicinity of someone using a spray gun or something similar at some time during the last 108 years. This does not detract from the appeal and is clear in the pictures. The brim is stamped HS61

Inside, the chinstrap is very good, the Rexene sweatband still supple and with some sort of label sewn into place and strangely, the name Konig on a piece of tape. All other elements appear very good and intact.

This pattern was developed in 1917 with an initial batch of 500 issued for trail during the first part of 1918. After some slight modification a further 2000 were produced and sent for trial in France in late September 1918 of which this Helmet would have been part, so although made during the war months it would not have seen combat. During WW2 some were reissued to the Police and painted dark blue with Police stencilled in white at the front.

I am very grateful to Marcus Cotton for the additional information he kindly supplied.