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COMMONWEALTH HEADGEAR OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR
#MI52 Lincoln and Welland Regiment beret
Original Second World War Lincoln and Welland Regiment of Canada beret. This is not a typical unused beret with cap badge, it is a real worn example with period mounted badge and backing that is exactly like how it was discovered. The beret itself is Canadian manufactured by “GRAND’MERE KNITTING COMPANY LIMITED” and dated 1945 with C broad arrow stamp. This is likely the beret the soldier war from the Second World War at the end of hostilities. The beret has maintained its form and still fits a mannequin head nicely. $250 *On Hold*
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#BG24 Dispatch Rider's motorcycle helmet, BMB 1942
Original Second World War British / Commonwealth Dispatch Rider’s (DR) motorcycle helmet, formally described during the period as the “Helmet, Steel, DR, Mk. I”. This example is early production, being produced in 1942 by Briggs Motor Bodies (BMB) in size 7 3/4. The helmet shows light service use, with all the components including the chinstrap and snap intact and still functioning. Consignor reports the helmet surfaced from an old collection in Canada. The relatively early production date, nice service used condition without any surplus stamps, and perfect mannequin size make this a very appealing example, likely brought home as a souvenir by a veteran. $500
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#CD955 Winnipeg Grenadiers beret
Original Second World War Winnipeg Grenadiers beret. Canadian manufactured by “GRAND’MERE KNITTING COMPANY LIMITED” and dated 1945 with C broad arrow stamp. Original Winnipeg Grenadiers cap badge that was on the beret when we received it and very likely original period applied. This beret is in great condition and just lightly worn. $125
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#CC18 Indian Airborne beret
Original Second World War maroon beret worn by a member of the Indian Airborne. The beret is English made, manufactured by Kangol Wear Limited in size 6 7/8, with British broad arrow and 1945 date. The cap badge and backing material gives evidence of being period mounted with a matching patina and is well sunken down. The beret has the traditional Indian name “Khonna” written inside, which could have roots based on a historical poet and astrologer from Bengal. The beret is in nice worn condition. $1000
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#PA42 RAC tanker beret
Original Second World War Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) tank beret in black. The beret was manufactured by Kangol Wear Limited in 1945, size 7 1/4. The beret features a RAC bakelite cap badge, this is likely original to the beret and as received but we can’t say for sure. Lightly service worn condition without any moth damage. Great example for a mannequin, or headgear collection. $250
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#ID1 Tanker's crash helmet
Original Second World War Canadian-made “Helmet, Crash, Tank Battalion” (Tanker’s helmet). This helmet was developed in 1940 and final production took place in 1943, before it was ultimately replaced by the steel helmet. These helmets are hard to find in good condition, and this example is unissued and complete with scrum and chinstrap. For additional information, you may consult pages 30-31 of “TIN LIDS Canadian Combat Helmets” by Roger V. Lucy. Ideal example. $250
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#CD854 RCOC MKII combat helmet
Original Second World War Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps MKII helmet with original period applied decal flash and camouflage textured paint. GSW 1941 dated shell, with riveted chinstrap bales intended for combat use, and VMC 1942 dater liner. Service used, in as-found condition. Great helmet. $650
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#CD095 MKIII Combat Helmet, Dark Camouflage Paint
Original Second World War British MKIII helmet with dark camouflage paint, as used by the Canadian Army in Normandy and Northwest Europe. The base helmet is standard wartime British MKIII helmet with high rivets. The helmet markings in the steel are too faint to read under the factory texture paint which is normal with these. Great example, ready to complete a mannequin or helmet display. $275
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#GP113 MKII combat helmet nut and bolt
Original Second World War Canadian production MKII helmet nut and bolt. Excellent example with the original semi-blackened factory finish and unpolished machining marks. These can be really hard to find to complete a helmet when they are often missing. $25
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SOLD
Canadian MKII combat helmet
Original Second World War Canadian MKII combat helmet. Manufactured by the Canadian Lamp Company in 1942. Nicely marked, in lightly used condition. Complete with desirable two-tone net that is original to the helmet, as found when we purchased it from the son of the veteran. *Sold*
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MKIII combat helmet
Original Second World War RO&CO 1944 MKIII helmet with Canadian two-tone camouflage net. Helmet is in excellent condition and appears likely unissued. Original factory applied olive green paint. Nicely marked RO&CO III over 1944. *Sold*
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#CC9 Airborne troops combat helmet
Original Second World War "Helmet Steel Airborne Troops Mk.1 (Helmet, Steel No.5)" Canadian / British paratroopers combat helmet. Excellent condition and very lightly used example produced by Briggs Motor Bodies (BMB) in 1943, in size 6-7/8 (About a medium by period standards, these were made as small as 6-3/8). The helmet features a non-magnetic steel rim, with a leather, web, and sorbo liner and four point leather harness. The helmet would have left the factory with a pad glued to the interior of the steel shell, but in most cases the glue quickly gave way and the pad quickly fell out, the remnants of the black glue still remains, another pad could be added. The orange sorbo material padding for the liner is in surprisingly excellent condition, often times the sorbo has turned black and stained the leather in these helmets. Includes original Canadian two-tone helmet net that is snugged down on the helmet having been on it a very long time, we have left it in place and undisturbed. This is an excellent example of a paratrooper helmet used by Canadian and British airborne forces. *Sold*
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#CD541 Canadian two-tone camouflage helmet net with original scrim
Original Second World War Canadian two-tone camouflage helmet net with original oilcloth scrim period attached. Standard issue item seen in many period photos being worn by Canadian, British, and even American soldiers in Europe. Very uncommon to find with original scrim. *Sold*
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1944 Airborne maroon beret
Original Second World War 1944 Airborne maroon beret. Used by Commonwealth Airborne forces include 1 Canadian Parachute Battalion. Manufactured by Kangol Wear Limited, and dated 1944 with War Department and British broad arrow stamps in a standard period size 7 1/8. Still has remnants of the original paper label. Both grommets remain snug in place and the leather grommet protector inside the beret remains intact. The beret surfaced in Canada and came without a cap badge, we suspect it belonged to a 1CPB member as a brass 1CPB cap badge seemed to fit well in the existing mounted holes done by the original owner. Lightly period worn condition. *Sold*
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#CD251 48th Highlanders Glengarry
Original Second World War Canadian 48th Highlanders Glengarry. Worn by Ross W. Heron, with some additional information on the reverse of the photo. We have not done any research past what is presented here, but this could be a potential research project to learn more about the veteran. Excellent true original example with nicely backed cap badge that has been on there forever, with information and photo of the vet wearing it. *Sold*
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#CD813 North Shore Regiment beret
Original Second World War North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment of Canadian beret. The base beret is a standard Canadian Army issue example, manufactured by Dorothea Hats Ltd. of Toronto in size 7 1/2 with C broad arrow stamp. The cap badge is original period mounted, with the period authorized red backing material, showing clear evidence of it being completely untouched since 1945. The soldiers wife Mrs. F.W. Walsh had the beret dry-cleaned by Halifax Steam Laundry Limited in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and that cardboard receipt has been used as a backing material to stiffen the beret behind the cap badge. This receipt with name and address has research potential. Great original badged example with very special details. *Sold*
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#CD349 Rocky Mountain Rangers beret
Original Second World War Canadian Rocky Mountain Rangers beret. This is an original set, untouched with original cap badge that has been on it since the war. The beret is a British made example from Kangol Wear Limited, dated 1943, in size 7. Presumably purchased or issued and worn by a soldier of this battalion while overseas and then for the trip home. *Sold*
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#BS164 The Regina Rifle Regiment beret
Original Second World War The Regina Rifle Regiment Canadian beret. This is an untouched set with original cap badge that has been on it since the soldier came home at the end of hostilities. The beret is a Canadian made example by Dorothea Knitting Mills Limited in Toronto, and dated 1945. *Sold*
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#CD619 Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps beret
Original Second World War Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps (RCAMC) beret. Nicely maker marked Canadian made example from the famous "GRAND'MERE KNITTING COMPANY" produced in 1944, in a size 7 1/2. Original cap badge still in place, in just lightly worn condition. *Sold*
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#CC10 Canadian Parachute Corps maroon beret
Original Second World War maroon beret with original Canadian Parachute Corps brass cap badge. The maroon beret is an English made example produced by Kangol Wear Limited in size 7, with broad arrow and 1945 date. The beret is in good lightly worn condition, with just a few small moth nips on the top shown the photos. The brass Canadian Parachute Corps cap badge is the variation produced by the firm MacKenzie-Clay which was located about an hour from Camp Shilo, and the badge features the original flat stamped metal lugs unique to this maker. The cap badge has the expected sharp details under the parachute canopy, and around the maple leafs, there is some remnants of white "silvo" from period polishing (Could be wiped off) we have left the cap badge undisturbed / uncleaned exactly as found. The cap badge and beret have clearly been worn together, the cap badge is well embossed into the felt of the beret leaving no doubts. This is likely the beret the member wore home at the end of hostilities. Excellent set. *Sold*
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#EC204 102nd Battery, RCA, flashed Dispatch Rider helmet, Gnr W.T. Yates
Original Second World War Dispatch Rider helmet with 102nd Battery Royal Canadian Artillery flash worn by Gunnar William Truman Yates. Gnr Yates served as RCA Dispatch Rider, which is why he was issued this type of helmet and why it is flashed accordingly. Gnr Yates regimental number is also period painted inside the steel skirt. The helmet is maker marked and was produced by Briggs Motor Bodies (BMB) in 1942, in size 7. The helmet is true used “been there” condition, showing the expected wear from front line service after Gnr Yates disembarked in France July of 1944. The helmet is in true untouched condition and never cleaned or messed with. This is a top example with real documented history, flashed Dispatch Rider helmets with provenance are seldom observed and rarely ever offered for sale. Gunnar Yates complete 21 page service file (Obtained by CEF research service through Access to Information) will be provided. *Sold*
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#BG26 Canadian MKII combat helmet with burlap / hessian cover
Original Second World War Canadian MKII combat helmet, with blanco painted burlap / hessian cover. The base helmet was produced by the Canadian Lamp Company in 1942, and was part of lot number 72. It features the factory original 1942 V.M.C. liner (Size 7 1/4), chinstrap, padding, bumpers, and correct MKII helmet nut. It has standard factory applied paint and standard riveted combat bales. The helmet was purchased at the Ottawa militaria show in 1998, and is as-found at that time. The burlap cover looks like it was done a long time ago, with wartime style burlap that has been brushed with blanco camouflage paste in period fashion. Everything we know about this helmet is presented, given what we know, we can't say for sure when exactly the burlap was applied, whether it was for training in Canada or somewhere else, but it was done a long time ago and it is a unique helmet that should be left exactly as-is. The helmet features a Regimental Number written in pencil “D77992” which is in the range for the Royal Montreal Regiment. An additional research may be possible. Very appealing helmet and unique. *Sold*
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#CD926 Canadian Postal Corps MKII helmet
Original Second World War Canadian Postal Corps (C.P.C.) MKII helmet. Named to Lieutenant Lucien Lavoie, No-0884, C.P.C. with a period label inside the shell that shows real age and patina. This is a combat grade helmet, with smooth non-magnetic manganese steel and riveted chinstrap bales. On the front of the helmet is a red “W” that is very interesting. This is one of the helmets occasionally observed without makings or a lot number applied, but is almost certainly produced by the Canadian Motorlamp Company based on construction features, it is complete with all the factory components including V.M.C. 1942 (Viceroy) liner indicating it is early production, chinstrap, crash pad, and MKII helmet nut. Examining the bolt, it appears to have never been taken apart. The helmet is in excellent lightly worn condition, without any signs of cleaning or tampering. Background; During the Second World War, the Canadian Postal Corps delivered millions of letters and parcels to and from military personnel, earning the nickname “The Morale Department”. It was long hours and hard work, from unloading mail in England, to getting it to the front lines. Expand your MKII collection with this very special helmet. *Sold*
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#CD912 Queen’s Own Rifles wedge cap
Original pre- Second World War Queen’s Own Rifles (QOR) of Canada rifle green wedge cap. This is the type of headgear members of the QOR wore when they departed overseas from Borden in 1940, prior to being later replaced by the standard wartime Field Service Cap. The cap is constructed from high-quality “Rifle Green” wool featuring red piping, toorie, and two QOR buttons. The original pre-war white metal QOR cap badge has been on the cap forever, with no traces of anything else being on the cap, we have left it as-is and made no attempt to remove it. This example is in genuine service worn condition, there is some light scattered moth tracking but not enough to distract from how nicely it displays. We have previously handled identical caps that have come directly from QOR Second World War veterans. This is very desirable cap that will be a welcome addition to any collection. *Sold*
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British MKII fire helmet, Blitz period
Original Second World War British MKII fire helmet from the Blitz period. Produced in 1939 by Briggs Motor Bodies (BMB) with correct matching liner, bumpers, chinstrap and MKII helmet bolt. It is period painted with “FIRE” written across the front, and has the same grey paint on Blitz period fire helmets observed in other collections. The helmet features the initial “B” in two spots. The chinstrap appears to have been blackened by smoke, giving this helmet a real “been there” look. Despite some genuine service wear, it has been stored correctly and is well preserved. *Sold*
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Canadian M1 helmet grouping, Art Botter, Brockville Rifles
Original Second World War Canadian M1 helmet group that belonged to Rifleman Art Botter of the Brockville Rifles. Art deployed to Jamaica for garrison duty, and the island housed evacuees, refugees, internees, and prisoners of war. The Canadians were issued some American equipment including early fixed bale M1 helmets. The group consists of the helmet, wedge cap, shoulder titles, and special very limited unit history for those who deployed to Jamaica. The helmet is named to Art in several places and is the helmet he wore for his deployment. It has never been cleaned or messed with in any way, and is exactly as discovered. The wedge cap is a wonderful 1943 Canadian made example, with the original cap badge and backing felt that has never been removed, and it is also named. There is also a nice pair of metal shoulder titles that were attached to the wedge cap with a piece of string when discovered. You will be able to research Art and his wartime experience a lot more using the book, there is even a photo of him in the book wearing the wedge cap! There are also many photos of the soldiers training and wearing their M1 helmets. This is a fantastic group and unique opportunity for a Brockville Rifles collector. *Sold*
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