Original 1939 Dated Air Raid Chief Warden's MKII Steel Helmet

An excellent original WW2 British MKII Steel Helmet fitted with a 1939 dated liner and painted in ARP Cheif Warden colours. 

This pattern of helmet was introduced in the late 1930s and replaced the earlier brodie helmet shell shape used during the Great War and inter-war period. They saw widespread issue throughout the Second World War with all arms of service including the Civil Defence. 

The helmet has been painted black and features a 'W' painted to the front to denote the wearer as an Air Raid Warden. This paint scheme was used pre-war and throughout the whole of WW2. What is particularly nice about  this example is that it left the factory with an army khaki green No.3 paint finish as can be still seen inside the helmet. The outside has been repainted as has part of the underside. The warden 'W' has been hand applied and is an interesting elongated letter 'W'. All the paintwork is undoubtedly original period work and has survived well having taken on a fantastic patina. 

The helmet is fitted with the correct early pattern helmet liner which features the oval shape pad, only manufactured prior to 1941. The liner is maker marked 'BMB' which denotes Briggs Motor Bodies as the maker. The size of 6 3/4 is also present as well as the 1939 date. The liner is fastened to the helmet with the correct large size brass screw used on early production helmets. This was overpainted when the helmet was painted white and would suggest that it is original to the helmet.

The helmet would have originally been fitted with the sprung metal style chin strap but this has been replaced with the all elastic type which came into issue later in the Second World War. This may have been replaced when the original broke. 

The overall condition of the helmet is good and it displays well. There are marks to the paintwork and various signs of age to the liner but generally speaking it appears to be sound and it displays very well. 

A very nice early example of an ARP helmet with the correct early liner. This would make an excellent addition to any Home Front collection!