I just bought this Mk II Helmet today at a show because it was cheap and because I couldn’t identify it for several reasons…

1) The liner is riveted in place, rather than using a securing bolt. Additionally, there is a nice original brown finish and no marking visible on the shell.

2) The chinstrap lugs appear to be of the Mk III configuration.

3) The crown pad is oval-shaped, similar to the Mk. I liner and the vulcanised fibre headband appears to be red in colour.

4) The solid moulded rubber buffer pads are arranged in a pattern similar to Canadian Mk II helmets. They also appear to be riveted in place.

5) The chinstrap appears to follow the Mk II pattern, but the wire loops appear to be made of steel/alloy, rather than brass. Additionally, the buckle on the chinstrap appears to be crudely sand cast with two closed centre struts.

Possible Conclusions

1) This could be a postwar European helmet that I am not familiar with
2) This could be a private purchase helmet
3) This could be an early Canadian-made Mk II, given the arrangement of the rubber buffer pads
4) This could be an Indian-made Mk II, given the crudeness of the brass buckle and the general non-conformity with the normal patterns

Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated!!