Rare WW2 British Army Fire Service - Red Painted Steel Brodie Helmet MKII by BMB dated 1939

Here on offer is an rare example of a WW2 British Army Fire Service, red painted steel Brodie helmet MKII, by BMB dated 1939.

This came out of a barn in Cornwall where it has been stored since WW2.

I have been told that this unusual RED painted British helmet was used by the Army Fire Service (AFS) which was formed in March 1944 as part of the preparations for the Normandy invasion in June 1944.

Its job was to fight fires in the various military installations taken by the allies as they progressed inland. The leading units landed on 7th of June 1944. The unit was stretched to the limit in 1944 especially when Germany started launching V1 & V2 rockets.

They where also used to protect Army equipment, billets, barracks and ammunition dumps in case of fire. Civilian property in liberated towns and villages also came under the care of the Army Fire Service.

Clearly when the AFS unit was formed they used anything that was available and to hand at the time, so just painted this 1939 issued Tommy helmet RED and re-issued it to a member of the AFS.

In the IWM Imperial War Museum (IWM) there is a great photo of a Bedford QL 3 ton truck with one of the tenders of 104 Fire Fighting Company (Army Fire Service), stationed in Caen. The driver can been seen wearing a Brodie helmet.

There are no markings that I can see on the outside of this AFS helmet.

Inside it still retains its original black treated linen with the early pattern oval foam pad and securing nut and bolt.

It also still retains the original canvas chinstrap with metal buckle.

On one of the liner straps is stamped with:

7
BMB
I
1939

So it is a UK size 7 and was made in 1939 by BMB, Briggs Motor Bodies of Dagenham, who were one of the more prolific manufactures of British Army helmets during the war.

There are two sets of numbers that have been hand painted around the inside of the rim. They are hard to make out but I think they read as:

20820

254973

All I have done to the helmet is wipe off the dirt, so it is as it came out of the barn. Some loss of paint and rusting to the finish and one small ding to the domed surface. Please see my photos.

It measures approximately 12.1” (31cm) by 11.25” (28.5cm).

It weighs a heavy 1.06Kg.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Code: 50949