ID This Helmet....

[r.morrison]

Gentlemen: Hoping you had a good weekend: Still sorting through some helmets and stuff. Came across this one which is painted more in grayish tones. Thought it would have the usual CDN stamp on it , but no. Can anyone ID the stamped number along the edge. Thanks ahead of time...Robert

[James P]

This is sort of like looking at a elephant through a drinking straw and try to figure out what it is.

[rob love]

If I had to guess, I would say Dutch produced in 1956, and the remainder might be a lot or contract number.

IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR, DUTCH TROOPS STATIONED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM RECEIVED BRITISH AND CANADIAN EQUIPMENT, HENCE THIS DUTCH BRODIE HELMET.
THE INNER EDGE OF THE HELMET, AS SEEN PICTURED, IS ALSO MARKED WITH A "VB56 7SLN". THE 'VB' STANDS FOR VERENIGDE BLIKFABRIEKEN ('VerBliFa' - "UNITED TIN FACTORIES").THIS FACTORY PRODUCED HELMETS BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER THE WAR.

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthoped...odie-434950213

Also found this:

This is a Dutch MkII clone. Produced by Verblifa, The Dutch helmet manufacturer. VB 56 stands for manufacturer and year of production. SL etc stands for the steel batch number. The ink stamp indicates acceptence by the ministry of defense. "Goedgekeurd" means approved in Dutch.

These clones were destined for the Dutch Civil Defense and were used until the disbandment of the organisation in the late 80's, when stock was sold off.

The leather neckpiece makes this a helmet for fire brigade use of the CD.

These helmets were never used by the army. The Dutch army used ex-British MkII's and MkIII's till about the mid 50's after which they adopted a variant of the US M1 with the same chinstrap as your MkII clone.

https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/world...d-helmet-7175/

[r.morrison]

Rob....many thanks again to you. But then again....I wasn't surprised. Next time there's an election, remind me to vote you in as Minister of Defense or Heritage Minister. Cheers...Robert

PS: IF there's any Dutch Canadian out there interested in purchasing the helmet, PM me. Comes with the desirable 7 1/4 inch CDN liner! R

[r.morrison]

Thought I would add the rest of the photos in. Robert