Helmet Mk2......but not British?

[Aragorn243]

So what's the magnet test. I don't do a ton with helmets and have never heard of it.

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[browningautorifle]

the magnet test

To see if the magnet sticks to the helmet. If it does then it's not a combat helmet.

[BEAR]

To see if the magnet sticks to the helmet. If it does then it's not a combat helmet.

Except German helmets (WW1, WW2, and East German) and Soviet and Eastern Bloc nations.

Interesting fact: We were taught to remove our helmets when using the lensatic compass because it would affect the magnetic readings. It wasn't until I started collecting helmets after I retired that I learned that US and British helmets were non-magnetic. Even had 2nd Lts. blame their lostness on the fact that they forgot to remove their helmets when reading their compass! After we adopted the Kevlar, Land Nav. Instructors were still training recruits to remove their helmets.
Old habits never die I guess.

[browningautorifle]

Except German helmets (WW1, WW2, and East German) and Soviet and Eastern Bloc nations.

Yes...but we were talking about the one you showed us.

We were taught to remove our helmets

Yup, same. Rifle down and leave on all the other steel like FN mags, bayonet...so forth. Most times the things that won't die haven't been changed in the books. New guys don't know where it originally came from.

[BEAR]

Yes...but we were talking about the one you showed us.

Yes, but I was just emphasizing that the magnet test does not work on just non-combat allied helmets.

[Flying10uk]

So what's the magnet test. I don't do a ton with helmets and have never heard of it.

The special alloy steel used in the "ballistic steel helmet" (combat helmet) will have elements such as chrome, for example, which can be added to steel to make it hard and hard wearing but is non magnetic.

A bog standard mild steel is much cheaper and easier to manufacture than a special alloy steel. Therefore the "non front line/magnet" helmets were much cheaper to produce because they were made from a "standard" everyday steel.