Airborne helmet....somewhat???

[BEAR]

As my grandsons grow older, I have gifted them with helmets of their preference. My oldest grandson received an M1917, his cousin received a British Brodie Mk2.

Last week my son was watching "Band Of Brothers" wiith his youngest son, who got so excited about the Airborne scenes that he leaned over to his dad and said "Dada, tell Grandad that I want a paratrooper helmet not one of those weird helmets" (M17 and Mk2 Brodie).

So, having a spare liner, I attached the A-yokes and a leather chinstrap and a net. And, voleyoley, I have a paratrooper helmet for him. Unfortunately, the net is held in place by Gorilla tape. The string took up too much room.

BEAR

[browningautorifle]

I do know of a couple guys that wore those and got away with it for a time, no outer shell... That would have been nice and light. I have to agree, not one of those weird helmets...

[Flying10uk]

As my grandsons grow older, I have gifted them with helmets of their preference. My oldest grandson received an M1917, his cousin received a British Brodie Mk2.

Will you be keeping any of your helmets for yourself for the time being?

I've still got the first helmet that I, personally, purchased in the 1970's, a WW2 Brodie.

[BEAR]

Yes, I will be keeping helmets, however, my timeline is short so I will be dividing up my helmets to my children and grandchildren. Don't think St. Peter will let me take them.

1966 I purchased my first helmet. It was an M42 that was found on an island (Insel_Langlutjen2) in the Waser River just outside of Bremerhaven, Germany. It was part of a Kriegsmarine ack-ack unit. Cost me $20.00

1970 I purchased my 2nd helmet at the Duffle Bag Surplus in Tacoma, WA. It is a Canadian Mk1. Cost me $9.00. Still have both these helmets today.

BEAR

[browningautorifle]

the Duffle Bag Surplus in Tacoma, WA.

I remember that place, they had EVERYTHING...

[Flying10uk]

my timeline is short

Hopefully not too short.

[Flying10uk]

Duffle Bag Surplus in Tacoma, WA

It's a pity that there isn't more of the "old school" style of "government surplus stores" about today. The internet is all very well but you can't beat actually seeing and feeling the government surplus and giving it "a good sniff". I remember that there use to be a good one in Swindon in the 1970's, packed with interesting and useful government surplus.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Yes, I will be keeping helmets, however, my timeline is short so I will be dividing up my helmets to my children and grandchildren. Don't think St. Peter will let me take them.

Wish I had some of those. Only nieces and nephews with zero interest. Seems my attempts to preserve our family's history of service are for naught. It will however make for some great garage sale bargains upon my demise.

[Flying10uk]

It will however make for some great garage sale bargains upon my demise.

An alternative may be to gift items to people that you know, outside of your family, who you think may have an interest.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

An alternative may be to gift items to people that you know, outside of your family, who you think may have an interest.

Yep that is the plan with some items. The family stuff. Framed DD214S with photos. My grandfathers WWII helmet, other grandfathers WWI photo and Hat cord. Just wish our younger generation had more interest. I do have one great niece who is about 10 who I believe might be a candidate I will wait and see. I can't count the number of really personal items Bronze Star citations, personal wartime correspondence etc.. I have found at garage sales etc...
It's one thing if one has no descendants but it seems two generations of interest is about the max and if it skips gen 2 it's off to the dumpster so too bad if gen 3 is interested everything is gone. Upside is I have bought some nice items cheap and have been a good steward of the compiled history..