Brit Para #43 HSAT FR

Brit Para #43 HSAT FR - The shell is an original 1942 Helmet Steel Airborne Troops (HSAT) with a Fibre Rim. There are no factory stamps evident. When acquired the shell resembled several other examples I have seen which have been camouflaged identically whilst in Australian Service. It seems large numbers of HSATs made their way to Australia at some time. This example and several others I have seen have been painted externally in jungle green; then Australian 1960s (Vietnam era) sweat rag cloth has been stuck to that paint and trimmed; then jungle green and black paint camo was applied over the top. The external surface on this helmet was much deteriorated but showed clear evidence of what I have described. The shell is cracked at front and rear; I am not able to stabilize this with weld due to risk of wrecking the original fibre band. These cracks have been evident on many HSAT shells I have seen; they will have been squashed sideways for this to occur. Other than the cracks, the shell is in good condition. The cracks have been filled with epoxy resin. The shell has been stripped back to bare metal, primed and painted in a light olive-drab with a textured outer. A new foam bumper pad has been installed. The original liner was present when acquired. It was in very poor condition except for the leather sweat band. Though the sweat band is darkened by use, it is in fair condition with the markings BMB 7 1942. It is still attached to the cloth webbing. The rubber padding was perished and the alum band damaged. The liner has been refurbished with new foam and alum band from What Price Glory (WPG). The original four brass mounting bolts have been retained along with the original brass chinstrap hangers. As was quite often seen, this helmet was period modified for a web chinstrap to be fitted in lieu of the leather type. The helmet has been fitted with the original web chinstrap with which it was acquired.

Price: $790 AUD

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