Posted 8 years ago
kozowy1967
(25 items)
I was lucky enough to secure this Camo painted Mk II from a friend and advanced collector here in Canada some time ago and an interesting helmet it is as Canadian camo painted Mk II helmets are about as rare as hens teeth as most were repainted and used post war.
This particular example is a 1941 dated C.L./C. steel lot batch number 33 it is sporting a 1941 dated VMC liner the owners name and service number have been scratched into the paint on the under side of the shell near the rim should make for a good research project.
I do rather like the patina, age and crazing to the paint on this one even though only two colours were used I myself consider this a three tone camo paint job as the original painted finish was incorporated in to the pattern the green over paint is quite striking and bold and IMO is of the same colour used early war time on Canadian and British vehicles and mobile equipment.
This application is referred to as the Mickey Mouse pattern by some collectors and there are period images showing it was used in Great Britain early on during the quite times known as the Phoney War .
And by Canadian troops going ashore on D-day I have included an image from Juno Beach were there is a very similar pattern visible on two of the Canadian soldiers helmets of course with out seeing the image in colour it is impossible to tell.
Regards Mark
I really like that "Mickey Mouse Pattern" camo, my guess is it was taken home by the vet after his service and retained the original WW2 applied camo since he most likely brought it home after the war, possibly used during DDAY?
Hi BG thanx for the reply and I am of the same opinion that it very likely is a vet bring back the soldiers service number is carved on the underside of the rim and I will have to sit one day and do a little bit of research and see if I can find out a little more information on the man