WW2 British MK3 Helmet

Here's a helmet that I've been wanting for a long time a MK3, the one with the "high rivets" and screw-in liner. These were produced during WW2 and many were used for the first time in action on D Day, especially by Canadians who eventually returned them to the UK at the end of the war. I have a similar looking MK4 helmet with "low rivets" and "lift the dot" removable liner but I also wanted the MK3.

I noticed this example offered at a very good price but it was mostly covered in what appeared to be light, surface, rust. The helmet duly arrived and the vintage paint finish seemed largely intact apart from surface rust. Although slightly challenging I removed and treated as much of the rust as possible while avoiding removing as little paint as possible.

The date could be 1944 but they were normally lightly stamped and difficult to read. It's WW2 in any case.

The colour is a dark khaki/dark drab green but not black.

As I understand it the liners were very similar or the same as used on the MK2 helmet.

Nice find Flying! I've been looking for a MkIII for a reasonable price for some time now myself. I've read that all members of the 21st Army group were supplied MkIII helmets prior to Overlord so British, Polish, and Canadian units would have had them. The MkIII's were stamped from the same size plate as the MkII to aid in manufacture.

There are a few on eBay UK but most of them seem more expensive and in worse condition than my example.

I have one I picked up in Nicosia Cyprus in 1975 out in the UNPA, outside the walled city. Head harness has a lift the dot fastener and the chinstrap is a spongy one that slides in the loops. The emblem is a painted over Greek cross. I found this just a shade under 50 years ago. I guess this is the low rivet Mk 4 type?

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

I guess this is the low rivet Mk 4 type?

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Yes that's right Jim. You may be able to find a date if you take the liner out and look in the back of the bowl just before it turns over into the rim. It will only be faintly stamped but it should be there and you will probably need a magnifying glass if you are like me. It's most likely early 1950's dated but I do believe that they first went into production shortly before the end of WW2. It was only really a MK3 helmet shell with the chin strap brackets moved lower down and a modified liner and liner attachment.

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Originally Posted by Flying10uk

You may be able to find a date if you take the liner out and look in the back of the bowl

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I'll have a look later but my attempt this am was a bust. Lots of glasses and bright lights...

I had to go dig up my MK IV. I had been told it was WWII when I bought it years ago and never made a serious effort to find out. It's a 1952. Both the liner and the helmet should be marked, and the liner is easier to find because only 4 places to look, the four "arms" leading away from the center. It's still difficult to see but in good light pops right out. Took a while to find the date on the helmet and the paint makes it difficult to find.

So, I went on an eBay quest and have a 1945 on the way already. No luck with an MKIII at a good price.

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Originally Posted by Flying10uk

find a date if you take the liner out

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OK, so I did. It's poorly stamped but you expected that... Also head harness date is late but I knew that. Closer pic of the white Greek cross. Mine too has rust and it had lay out I expect 6-12 months by the time I came to it. Glad to have had the chance to pick it up, saw it several times while mounted but had to wait until foot patrol to get it. Then I was chastised because it could have lay amongst mines...

For a little added info the MkIII helmet production began in late 1943 and overlapped with MkII production. MkIV production began in September of 1944 so one should be able to find war dated MkIV's for their collection. In David Gordon's book "UNIFORMS of the WWII TOMMY" he details a trials MkIII helmet with an airborne suspension and chin strap in a failed effort to make a 'universal' helmet for all the branches. That would be a highly collectable helmet if one was found.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Then I was chastised

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The important thing was that you got to keep the helmet, Jim. Would have been unfortunate if it had been confiscated.

Supposedly the idea of having the easily removable liner of the MK4 helmet and the "low rivets" was so that the helmet shell could be used to hold water/as a wash bowl etc.