British Mark III Helmet, World War II

British Mk III helmet, known as the “turtle” helmet, made of manganese steel, World War II.

The Mk III helmet was produced from 1943 to 1945 and designed to offer better protection than the Mk II while retaining the same liner. It was first deployed on June 6, 1944, during the Normandy Landings, equipping the first-wave British and Canadian units. More broadly, it was used by troops in the European theater of operations from 1944 to 1945.

The helmet features a well-preserved brownish-khaki green paint, consistent with 1944-1945 production standards.

The shell was manufactured by Rubery Owen & Co (Ro & Co) in early 1945.

The liner is a Mk II model, made of waxed canvas mounted on a compressed cardboard frame. It is marked by the manufacturer FFL (Fisher Foils Ltd) and dated 1944. The liner size is 7 (57 cm).

The chinstrap is a Mk III model, made of elastic webbing with a regulation length of 55 cm, featuring its original brass-chromed retaining and adjustment buckles.

This is a fine, well-preserved helmet in its original configuration—an essential piece for any World War II Allied collection!

The first productions of the Mk III helmet were issued to soldiers without liners. They would then remove the liners from their Mk II helmets and install them in their new Mk IIIs, before returning their old helmets to military supplies.

                                                                                                                                                         Source: picryl.com