Mark 2 (Mk.II) M1947 Military Belgian Helmet clones British

Very Rare Variant of Mark 2 (Mk.II) M1947 Military Belgian Helmet made after the Famous British M1917 Brodie model.

With uncommon insignia. I was unable to identify the different colours nor find an explanation why the number in front differs from at that at the back. We could not find equivalent, also not in the Royal Army Museum.

The helmet is in a very good condition indeed, rust, bumps, small imperfections and rubs are relatively minor and all show in the photos. It comes complete with the original leather liner and chin strap. A Belgium Flag decal is worn on the left hand side of the shell, as on all Military issue helmets.

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Some background history:

After the end of the WWII Belgium began manufacturing their own version of the British Mk.II Helmet, which came to be known as the Belgian Mk.II Clone. This helmet was used by all services of the Belgian Military; Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as in Civil Defense.

Mk.II Clones were produced from 1949 to 1952 and were very similar to the British Mk.II in almost every respect. However on closer inspection the differences are obvious, most noteably with the liner.

Belgian Mk.IIs have a brown leather liner with 5 tongues and a brown drawstring. The cross shaped crown pad has black sorbo foam covered by leather. The liner fixing screw sits in a small indentation at top of the crown, a recognized point of identification of the Belgian helmet. The rims and lugs are made of mild (i.e. magnetic) steel.

The original Brodie lovingly became known as Battle Bowler, Tommy Helmet, Tin Hat, Dishpan Hat, Washbasin and, in the German Army, Salatschüssel.