Rare/prototype U.S. M1917 helmet, or a fake?

[BEAR]

I have never read anything about Britain getting US M1917 as a lend lease. Britain manufactured 7.5 million MkI during the Great War and most of those went into war stocks. The war stock helmets were converted into MkI*s in 1936. The MkIIs started production in 1938 and 12 million were made until they were replaced by the MkIIIs.
Australia started making their MkIIs in 1939 and accounted for 2 million.
Canada was the only country that I have read about that received US M1917s and began a refitting program in 1940 that converted their MkIs and M1917s to MkIIs. Approximately 26000 were converted. Canada also manufactured 1.1 million MkIIs between 1940-1943.
Looks like they had plenty of helmets to go around. Just my humble opinion.

I own a Canadian MkII made by General Steel Wares in 1941 (stamped MkI).

BEAR (BDY)

[xb0xisbetter]

Thank you again for all of that information, BEAR. You are a quite literally a wealth of knowledge. I had actually stumbled upon the military reproductions website looking for more information on the helmets. I would definitely consider getting it back in working order, although I wonder if it is even worth it at that point without taking care of the rust and refinishing it first, which in itself also seems like a shame.

[BEAR]

Thanks for those kind words, but most of my knowledge comes from the websites I visit and books that I read. I do have some first hand knowledge on the M1s of the Vietnam era to the K-pots of the early 90s (mostly airborne helmets). It wasn't until I left the service in the early 90s did I find out that the M1s of WW2 are different from the M1s of Vietnam and that started me on research studies of most US helmets and now other nation's helmets. But I am just a novice collector.
Ask questions about rust removal on your helmet without damaging the finish. There are lots of guys more knowledgeable than I and can give you good advise.
Go slow and good luck!

BEAR (BDY)

[bolo]

Does anyone know if any of these U.S. made "Brodie" style helmets were ever made under contract or sent under lend lease to the U.K. during WW2, please? I have never heard it suggested that they were but equally I have never heard that they were not. Perhaps someone has one that is known to have seen British service. Logically I can see no reason why they should not have been sent to the U.K., for British service.

They were sent to the Philippines during early WW2 , used by the Philippine Scouts, also used by the Chinese Nationalists, and Ive also seen them used by Morrocan troops during WW2