WW1 British War Office Pattern Brodie Helmet

An excellent early war British 'War Office Pattern' helmet complete with its original liner & two part leather chinstrap. The original early apple green paint finish can be seen to the dome of the helmet with general service wear & a buildup of natural age patina to its surfaces. The early manufacture of this piece is evidenced by its construction with thin brass wire chinstrap bales & the first pattern of Brodies patent liner. These chinstrap bales were made larger on the later standardised model which had to accommodate thicker leather therefore rendering these earlier bales impractical. The liner system on these first models incorporated a padded cap consisting of two layers of cotton fabric intended to assist as a type of temporary bandage which would stem blood loss upon the removal of the shell if a head injury was sustained. The leather prong & buckle chinstrap is relatively flexible & correctly affixed to the helmet.
A superb time capsule piece & a rare opportunity to own such an excellent example.

Code: 12632