A British WWII Mk II steel helmet in honest, used condition. This example retains its original wartime character and is accompanied by paperwork relating to RAF Towyn, Wales, which was supplied with the helmet at the time of purchase. The helmet also retains an original wartime Great Western Railway parcel label still affixed to the shell, an uncommon survival.

Shell

British Mk II steel helmet shell showing wartime wear throughout. The exterior retains its service-applied finish with areas of paint loss and age-related wear consistent with use. Hand-painted white markings reading ‘TY’ to one side and ‘Y’ to the other are present.

Internally, the shell bears a faint date which appears to read 1943. There are further letters present alongside this marking; however, due to wear and age they are difficult to make out. These appear to include the letters MY.

Liner & Chinstrap

The helmet liner is fully intact, and stamped VERO 1939, by Vero Engineering Co. The liner shows correct period construction with expected age-related wear. The webbing chinstrap shows similar honest wear.

Railway Transit Label

The helmet retains a wartime Great Western Railway parcel label marked Cardiff (General), applied directly to the shell. Such labels were used for the transport of military equipment by rail during the war. Examples still present on helmets are not commonly encountered.

Overall

An untouched example of a WWII British Mk II steel helmet with good period character. The wartime railway transit label, makes this an interesting piece.

Historical Note

The accompanying paperwork relates to RAF Towyn, a Royal Air Force airfield in Wales, which was operational between 1940 and 1945. RAF Towyn was opened in September 1940 as an Anti-Aircraft Co-operation unit supporting nearby training areas. Its primary role involved target towing duties for anti-aircraft gunnery training under Army Co-operation Command.

In December 1943, several flights were reorganised to form No. 631 Squadron, which remained at Towyn until 1945, when operations were transferred and the airfield closed shortly afterwards. Equipment at such stations was routinely moved by rail between depots, airfields, and support locations, providing context for the presence of a Great Western Railway transit label on this helmet.

The accompanying paperwork provides historical context relating to RAF Towyn; however, it does not constitute direct proof of issue or service at the station.

All items are carefully packed for safe transit.