Helmet, Steel, Mark II (mkII)
The production of the Brodie helmet started again in 1938. These new helmets were classified as the Helmet, Steel, MK.II. From 1938 until the end of the second world war, about 12 million helmets were produced, by different manufacturers, in the United Kingdom. In addition, the necessary clones were produced by the other Commonwealth countries and after the second world war, the production of mkII helmets continued in various other countries, including the Netherlands (see page Civilian helmets).
The mkII was produced from a non-magnetic manganese steel and the rim was made on from a non-magnetic stainless steel. The mkII weighed about 1.05 kilograms and was pressed from 0.98 mm thick steel plates. The helmet shell was, seen from above, less round than the mkI helmets, but more oval in shape.
The liner was a removable model, and the frame was made from pressed cardboard. In 1939 the liner model mkI changed to to the mkII model. Most liners have a pressed stamp I or II, indicating what model it is. Most noticeable is the change of the round pad in the top for a cross-shaped one that was removable. Also, the chinstrap changed a few times over the years.
The mkII, together with the mkI *, were introduced to the new formed Dutch units in 1941, who were in England at the time, and replaced all pre-war Dutch models which were still in use. The mkII remained in use until the mid-50 's until replaced by the troops helmet (m53). A part of the mkII helmets were stored as reserve but most helmets went to Civil Defense or bought by companies to fit their Company Self Protection units with helmets. A small part were provided to the Mobile Colonnes.
Known helmet manufacturers are:
United Kingdom:
AMC: Austin Motor Co
BMB: Briggs Motor Bodies Ltd (helmets and liners)
BS: Beardmore Steel Company (William Beardmore & Company)
C: Clydesdale Stamping Co Ltd
EB: Eveson Brothers
EC&Co Ltd: E. Carmeliant & Co Ltd
F&L and FL: Fisher & Ludlow Ltd
FS: Thomas Firth
HBH: Harrison Bros & Howson
HS: Hadfields
JSS: John Sankey & Sons
MS: Onbekend
RO & Co: Rubery Owen & Co Ltd
SC: Steel Ceiling Ltd
SO: Samual Osborn Company
WD: William Dobson & Son
Canada:
C.L./C.: Canadian Lamp Company
G.S.W.: General Steelwares and Aluminium goods of Canada
A.G./C.: Aluminium Goods Company
Australia:
CS: Commonwealth Steel Co Ltd
Unknown: John Heine & Son Ltd
South Afrika:
Unmarked: Transvaal Steel Pressing Syndicate
New Zealand:
nPz: New Zealand Pressings
Netherlands:
VB: Verblifa (Verenigde Blik Fabriken), only in 1955 and 1956
Belgium
Unmarked: FN (Fabrique National), only post-war
Known liner manufacturers are:
United Kingdom:
AG&co: A. Garstin & Co Ltd
BH&G: Barrow Hepburn & Gale ltd
BMB: Briggs Motor Bodies Ltd (helmets and liners)
CCL: Christy & Co
FFL: Fishers Foils Ltd.
G&S: Gimson & Slater
Helmets Ltd: Helmets LTD
JCS & W ltd: J. ComptonSons & Webb
LWL: Lane & Whittaker Ltd.
N ltd: SE Norris Ltd
SNL: SE Norris Ltd
TTC: Teddy Toy Company
Vero: Everet W Vero&Co
Unknown liner manufacturers are:
CG&co, W&LC, PTB, E&R, M&C, L.P.C., ASC, CG&S, H&S en FH.
Canada:
AG&Co: Aluminium Goods Company
VMC: Viceroy Manufactoring Company
Australia:
DUNLOP: Dunlop
South Afrika:
JAGER-RAND: Jager-Rand
Belgium:
COMET: Unknown
X.B.: Xavier Buisset
