Helmets

[BEAR]

Since our illustrious governor has outlawed the sale of military style weapons in this state, I have switched my focus to my helmet collection. Here are some of the helmets I have collected in the last six months.

1st helmet was listed as a British MkIII. Right color, right chinstrap, right price. After I got it home it magically transformed into a MkIV, albeit an early 1945 model.

2nd helmet is an Italian M33 Naval helmet, WWII.

3rd helmet is a Canadian Paratrooper helmet dated 1956.

4th helmet is a Prussian M1915 Pickelhaube. Unfortunately, the chinstrap is from an earlier model.

[72 usmc]

Some impressive photos and information about helmets can be found on TB. You might enjoy a look.
See Helmets and Headgear - Treasure Bunker Forum

[Aragorn243]

I'd love to have a Prussian helmet like that. Rarely see them and when I do they are a fortune.

[browningautorifle]

3rd helmet is a Canadian Paratrooper helmet dated 1956.

I always thought those were a good helmet. I had one years ago and traded to one of our jumpers for a 30mm Rarden projectile. Both hard to find and we were both torn to trade but happy with what we got... We only changed out of those helmets in about 1968, to the M1C.

[BEAR]

I have one more helmet to add to the list. I found this relic M1 in an antique store for $25.00. It is a late war Schleuter and it had white paint on each side but undecipherable. After some judicious use of white vinegar and a non-metal scratch pad, I was able to uncover the helmet insignia of the 2nd BN, 187 RCT. While I don't think this helmet was recovered on the drop zones in Korea because they are located in NORTH Korea, I feel that some trooper lost it over a drop zone at either Bragg or Campbell after they returned from Korea. It looks like it sat out there for years.

Please don't tell me that it isn't named Ft. Bragg anymore, I might forget that I am a polite individual and Badger will ban me.

BEAR

[browningautorifle]

Please don't tell me that it isn't named Ft. Bragg

I see that, too bad. I guess it could be worse, they at least didn't close it.

[Terry Hawker]

BEAR & browning,

Not to worry gents, as hard as the "Easily Offended" may try, Fort Bragg's illustrious history won't be diminished by what I'd wager is a temporary name change. In the interim, to all the veterans who served there over the years, as well as their families, the home of Iron Mike will always be proudly referred to as Fort Bragg.

But back to helmets.... After my 'chute deployed over a Bragg DZ one day, I experienced an unusual sense of airy freedom around my ears. Looking down in time to see my helmet racing me to the ground, I realized what had happened.

Cheers,

Terry

[browningautorifle]

. Looking down in time to see my helmet racing me to the ground, I realized what had happened.

You certainly weren't alone in that one. Not even close...

[Flying10uk]

I found this relic M1 in an antique store for $25.00.

I'd say that you've picked up a bargain and it is what it is, a relic, and with history.

When my Jap helmet arrived from Japan a few years ago it appeared to be untouched since WW2 and therefore I have left it like that. (At the time it made economic sense to buy the helmet from Japan and pay the shipping and taxes etc rather than buying one in the UK but it may be different now.)

[BEAR]

BEAR & browning,
But back to helmets.... After my 'chute deployed over a Bragg DZ one day, I experienced an unusual sense of airy freedom around my ears. Looking down in time to see my helmet racing me to the ground, I realized what had happened.

You certainly weren't alone in that one. Not even close...

When I was a Blackhat at Benning (don't say it), we would JMPI the students before their first jump and ensure their helmets were tight. During the flight, especially on hot days, the little tentpegs would loosen their chinstraps. It would rain helmets and Blackhats would be shouting through their bullhorns "HELMET!". Fortunately, in the three years I was a blackhat we didn't have any injuries. Things usually tightened up (snicker) with subsequent jumps. Worst place for helmet losses was wintertime Alaska. The balaclava did not allow for a secure fit.

BEAR
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