Hi all. Bought this helmet at a Summer car boot. It had been painted (recently) by someone using black paint and they had crudely painted a 'W' on it in white to indicate it was an ARP helmet. I've managed to carefully strip the paint, but am wondering if it is a genuine WW2 helmet or is it later?? Thanks for reading, best wishes, Mark.
not seeing anything to suggest its anything special. It could well be military - its got no rim punches or Private Purchase bits'n'bobs - late pattern strap. There should be a stamped date on the brim near the strap lugs but it might not have survived the rusting
It has the early large liner screw (which can be changed of course) and the MkIII chinstrap lug used from 1939 onwards. There should indeed be some stamped markings. The liner cross straps too will have a manufacturer code and date (but again may have been swapped and not therefore indicative of shell date). This is a typical type of marking and date. (R.O.Co. 1939) and the liner marking (J.C.S & W Ltd. 1939 ) :-