BRITISH WWII 9TH ROYAL FUSILIERS ITALIAN CAMPAIGN BATTLE DAMAGED BRODIE HELMET.

An extremely rare British helmet from WWII being a 1939 liner dated Brodie that we believe was originally issued and used in North Africa. Traces of the original desert paint underneath the further covering of a two colour camouflage used in Italy of green and black. Quite a few areas of the shell has lost its finish but a huge amount remains including the dark red over dark blue added diagonally battalion flash for the 9th Royal Fusiliers. The helmet has taken a heavy battle impact to the front rim, which has distorted it slightly and chipped the paint in that area. The 9th Royal Fusiliers were sent to the Middle East in 1942 and fought in Tunisia, then took part in the Italian campaign including the landings at Salerno and Anzio suffering heavy casualties. The oil skin liner all complete, also with its elasticated webbing chinstrap, which has various rust staining. As well as the liner being marked, there is a small 1939 date on both the strap attachment lugs. Collectors may be surprised at the price we are asking for this helmet, however recent occurrences of British helmets nowhere near as interesting as this have been selling for huge prices and we are pleased to see a much deeper interest in British combat helmets of WWII.

Code: 96162