WWI Hemet, British War Office Pattern Brodie, Canadian Engineers Raw Edge, 1915
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:97119 |
Early WWI Canadian Engineer's raw edge Brodie helmet
This very rare Canadian unit marked helmet is one of the earliest produced in Britain in the Great War. The very first generation of under 5, 000 manufactured were magnetic, this one is not, indicating it is of the next group of Brodies sanctioned by the War Office.
This early design with its raw edge was soon recognized to be dangerous to other soldiers if an explosion sent it flying. Later helmets had a reinf...orcement around the rim. The most interesting feature that separates these early helmets from later versions is how the brim width varies at different points. The brim measures almost 2" wide at the sides, but under 1 1/4" at the front and rear. When placed on a flat surface, the helmet rocks slightly from front to back, reflecting these design features. Later helmets had more consistent dimensions all around, and rest flat on a flat surface.
This helmet is stamped with an "H" and "19", with H the manufacturer's code for Hutton & Sons Ltd. of Sheffield. The 19 indicates the batch number. The records I've found show this company only manufacturing helmets in 1915.
The leather chinstrap has a pebbled surface, with brass buckle present, but the strap is broken. There is a large part of the felt pad remaining at the top of the helmet, but the rest of the liner is missing.
The original painted insignia is for the First of three Canadian Field Companies of Engineers attached to the Canadian First Division. The First Division is indicated by the red field. The First Field Company is indicated by the single, small white squares above and below the black box around the CE.
Research suggests the British first painted First Division insignia on helmets during the Battle of the Somme in the summer of 1916. The First Division was engaged at the battle of Ypres prior to the Somme, and at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917.
Any of these Field Company helmets are scarce, and the First Field Company is the scarcest.
This very rare Canadian unit marked helmet is one of the earliest produced in Britain in the Great War. The very first generation of under 5, 000 manufactured were magnetic, this one is not, indicating it is of the next group of Brodies sanctioned by the War Office.
This early design with its raw edge was soon recognized to be dangerous to other soldiers if an explosion sent it flying. Later helmets had a reinf...orcement around the rim. The most interesting feature that separates these early helmets from later versions is how the brim width varies at different points. The brim measures almost 2" wide at the sides, but under 1 1/4" at the front and rear. When placed on a flat surface, the helmet rocks slightly from front to back, reflecting these design features. Later helmets had more consistent dimensions all around, and rest flat on a flat surface.
This helmet is stamped with an "H" and "19", with H the manufacturer's code for Hutton & Sons Ltd. of Sheffield. The 19 indicates the batch number. The records I've found show this company only manufacturing helmets in 1915.
The leather chinstrap has a pebbled surface, with brass buckle present, but the strap is broken. There is a large part of the felt pad remaining at the top of the helmet, but the rest of the liner is missing.
The original painted insignia is for the First of three Canadian Field Companies of Engineers attached to the Canadian First Division. The First Division is indicated by the red field. The First Field Company is indicated by the single, small white squares above and below the black box around the CE.
Research suggests the British first painted First Division insignia on helmets during the Battle of the Somme in the summer of 1916. The First Division was engaged at the battle of Ypres prior to the Somme, and at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917.
Any of these Field Company helmets are scarce, and the First Field Company is the scarcest.
