{"product_id":"original-wwii-british-mk-ii-no-2b-home-front-steel-helmet-shell","title":"Original WWII British Mk II No. 2B Home Front Steel Helmet Shell","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eAn authentic, original WWII British Mk II No. 2B Home Front Steel Helmet Shell. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eDuring the frantic production years of 1940 and 1941, the British Ministry of Supply established a strict grading system to categorize steel batches. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eFrontline combat troops required expensive, non-magnetic manganese steel to prevent interference with tactical compasses. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eHome front units did not.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eThe grading system was: One hole meant a rejected manganese shell; two holes designated a \"No. 2B\" shell explicitly stamped out of mild steel strip; three and four holes designated lower grades of mild steel plate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eThe Purpose of the two holes told factory workers and inspectors that this helmet was intended solely for Home Front usage (Civil Defence, Home Guard, Air Raid Precautions, or Factory Defence). \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eIt provided protection against falling masonry and low-velocity bomb debris during the Blitz rather than battlefield shrapnel.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eBecause it is a No. 2B mild steel shell, it is completely and strongly magnetic across the entire dome—unlike frontline combat variants. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eThe exterior features a clear, weathered Blue-Grey paint layer. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eWhile these No. 2B shells usually left the factory in Khaki Green (No. 3), they were frequently over-painted in the field upon issuance. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eThis blue-grey tone strongly aligns the helmet with the National Fire Service (NFS) or Royal Air Force (RAF) Ground Crew \/ Base Defence operations on the home front. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eThere are no visible factory stamps or dates on the inner rim, which is incredibly common for these rushed civilian contracts where stamps were struck lightly and subsequently filled in by thick factory paint.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eThe shell is solid with no cracks, major dents, or structural damage. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eIt retains a substantial amount of its historical blue-grey paint, which exhibits a wonderful, honest patina with natural age-related surface rust, scuffs, and paint flaking. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eBoth original Mk II spring-loaded chinstrap lugs remain firmly riveted to the interior rim. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eThe central crown hole is completely intact and ready to accept a restoration nut and bolt. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eThere are no modern modifications, altercations, or post-war paint jobs on this piece making it ideal for military re-enactors, historical display, or a rewarding restoration project. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eFinding a shell with intact paint and lugs makes completing this helmet with a reproduction oilskin liner and canvas chinstrap incredibly straightforward. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-subtree=\"aimfl\" data-processed=\"true\" data-copy-service-computed-style='font-family: \"Google Sans\", \"Helvetica Neue\", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-color: rgb(230, 232, 240);'\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eThe photographs are of the actual item and form part of the description. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003ePlease examine the photographs carefully and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Haywards Antiques \u0026 Collectables","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57370253623561,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0736\/5437\/0569\/files\/0DCB3647-F046-432F-92A2-5E67C565C9FB_1_201_a-Photoroom.png?v=1790786181","url":"https:\/\/haywardsantiques.co.uk\/products\/original-wwii-british-mk-ii-no-2b-home-front-steel-helmet-shell","provider":"Haywards Antiques \u0026 Collectables","version":"1.0","type":"link"}