Brodie Helmet information sought

[kmad]

Hi

I picked up the attached item

i am assuming it is an early war office pattern helmet as indicated by the stamping on the inside and the raw edge which looks never to have had rim.

So

it is the genuine item and do you think the paint is original

the paint seems to be same color behind the liner

the only mark I can find looks like FRS 17 and the red Brodie stamp

 

liner is in great shape but chin strap leather is quiet fragile

any information greatly appreciated

 

regards

 

ken

[JMB1943]

Ken,

 

1. The split pins holding the chinstrap bails/bales to the rim are British style.

2. The bails/bales are ‘thin’ vs thick American style.

3. The shell-makers stamp is FKS 17, which I believe is for Thomas Firth Ltd, Sheffield.

4. The flutes in the crown indicate, to me, earlyish British manufacture.

5. Dome rivet is smooth, rather than American grooved rivet.

 

Together with the liner & stamp, these confirm genuine to me.

The paint looks original, but would originally have been (my guess) a little lighter before weathering.

 

All in all, a very nice helmet.

 

Regards,

JMB

[edit] Is it magnetic? Also, if placed on a flat surface it should rock slightly from front to back.

 

Edited 27 June , 2019 by JMB1943

[wainfleet]

That's a very nice helmet. It is what you think it is. It looks as if a badge has been on it at some point.

[GRANVILLE]

I too would agree and think it is very early and all original.

 

David

[kmad]

Hi All

yes the helmet does rock when placed on a flat surface 

I think it did have a badge soldered on the front at some stage. As to what it was I do not know but it is a relatively small badge.

it is non magnetic which I understand to indicate it is not one of the fist batch but would be perhaps from early 1916 or so

thanks for confirming it is all good as it was a spur of the moment auction purchase but once I saw the red Brodie stamp I decided to go for it. 

Regards and thanks again

ken

[Andrew Upton]

5 hours ago, wainfleet said:

...It looks as if a badge has been on it at some point...

 

1 hour ago, kmad said:

...I think it did have a badge soldered on the front at some stage. As to what it was I do not know but it is a relatively small badge...

 

RAMC would be my guess:

 

 

[GRANVILLE]

2 hours ago, Andrew Upton said:

 

 

RAMC would be my guess:

 

 

That's a neat suggestion Andrew. I still think it is very early and clearly shows no signs of ever having had a rim applied to the brim.

David

[kmad]

Hi Andrew 

i reckon you h@ve a great eye and you could welll be correct.

would badge attachment be an officers thing or could other ranks do this as well.

the helmet came with a very neat cutlery set. 

Which definately looks of the period

German made as indicated by the Drgm stamping

if they really belong together I do not know as it was an auction purchase.

 

i paid 200 euro for the lot so can you let me know if this is a fair price 

I am not going to sell anytime soon just always nic3 to know

 

thanksP again

 

ken

Edited 28 June , 2019 by kmad

[mark holden]

Hi Ken,

 

200 Euro is a very good price. The war office pattern helmets are selling for High 100s of £. 

 

Regards

 

Mark

Edited 28 June , 2019 by mark holden

[mark holden]

A few examples here

 

 

[kmad]

Thanks Mark 

I did not realise these helmets were so expensive, nice to know I got at a good price

 

The links you gave was very informative I will digest it fully when i have time 

 

Thanks all for your interest in my new item 

 

Regards

Ken 

[wainfleet]

Great work by Andrew in identifying the badge, which I think must be correct. Badged helmets could be either officers or other ranks, there is no way to tell unless they have a private purchase liner. Given the dull paint finish on your helmet, I suspect the badge would either have been painted the same colour or dulled in some other way.

 

Here is an early East Kent Regiment helmet with regimental badge attached. It seems to be brazed on. The paint finish and the badge are original to the helmet.

 

 

[GRANVILLE]

10 hours ago, kmad said:

Hi Andrew 

i reckon you h@ve a great eye and you could welll be correct.

would badge attachment be an officers thing or could other ranks do this as well.

the helmet came with a very neat cutlery set. 

Which definately looks of the period

German made as indicated by the Drgm stamping

if they really belong together I do not know as it was an auction purchase.

 

i paid 200 euro for the lot so can you let me know if this is a fair price 

I am not going to sell anytime soon just always nic3 to know

 

thanksP again

 

ken

I think you will find that the DRGM on the spoon indicates that these are of German manufacture (Deutsches Reichsgebrauchsmuster). This catches my eye because at the time of the war, the DRGM stamp on products, quickly became known as 'Dirty Rotten German Make' - no offence intended. I also suspect that the helmet subject to this post will not only be early but an officers private purchase judging by the type of chinstrap and the applied badge.

David