I have this old paratrooper helmet...

[frichtie]

Hi all, this morning i'd like to know exactly how rare is my 1944 original british paratrooper helmet. It has the leather chin straps and from the markings, was made in Glasgow. I know we don't see these helmets too often...but how rare are they? (the steel is non-magnetic) Inside the edge I can read C.L./C 1944. I wish I could post some images!

Thank you,

Eric

[James P]

I agree, I wish you could post pictures also.

[frichtie]

Sorry about this....i'll try better when i get home!

[Hanno Spoelstra]

If you want to post pictures, please read this.

HTH,
Hanno

[Ed Storey]

C.L./C 1944 Parachute Helmets are actually post-SWW, the 1950s if I am not mistaken, Canadian military conversions of the wartime Canadian manufactured Dispatch Rider helmets to the Parachute type. This was done to address a need for Parachute Helmets over DR Helmets and the full details of the story can be found in Roger Lucy's Service Publication Book 'Tin Lids'. Look for a 'C Broad Arrow' stamped on the inside of the helmet.

Now I have no idea how long you have had the helmet or where it came from but the re-enacting community has also been converting DR helmets to the Parachute style for several decades and your helmet could also be one of those conversions.

Photographs would be very nice. This is one of my original wartime British Parachute Helmets.

[frichtie]

Should be worth a thousand words....if not much money!

[Ed Storey]

Yes, it is a converted Canadian DR Helmet, the side panels have cut off and the liner reversed back to front. If memory serves me correctly the liner was manufactured by Backstay Standard.

This is what it looked like before conversion.

I have sent a PM.

[frichtie]

So the helmet being a "former DR" that was converted for use by airborne troops, I understand this is just not the Holy Grail of helmets! It's still a cool helmet. I'm happy I finally learned more about it today! Too bad it doesn't really match with my Canadian army Kawasaki! Thanks for your help.

http://www.collectorssource.com/head...et-mark-1.html

[James P]

Originally Posted by frichtie

So the helmet being a "former DR" that was converted for use by airborne troops, I understand this is just not the Holy Grail of helmets! It's still a cool helmet. I'm happy I finally learned more about it today! Too bad it doesn't really match with my Canadian army Kawasaki! Thanks for your help.

http://www.collectorssource.com/head...et-mark-1.html

Still a cool old helmet with a place in history (even if it never stepped out the door on June 6/44), thanks for posting and the pictures.

[Harry Moon]

Having had and worn a helmet like that the stitching on the liner makes a very macho set of stitches on your forehead that lasts for hours.