Model 1915 'type A' CEF Brodie helmet

[LeeG]

I have not posted anything in a while, so I thought I would share with you all a 1915 Canadian Expeditionary Force first-type 'Brodie' helmet. This particular helmet was the rimless 'type A' variant that came out in late 1915 to be replaced by the rimmed 'Mark I' in mid 1916.

This particular helmet was originally painted a smooth mustard green (probably when originally issued in late '15 or early '16) and then had a liner replacement in 1917 evident by the presence of the 'donut' in the liner -- a feature added in 1917. The helmet was then painted a blue/grey paint with a a red painted unit badge on the front. It appears that the badge is a Canadian Engineer's badge, but it is difficult to tell for sure.

After talking with a knowledgeable fellow collector, I was informed that these helmets would have been gathered up at the platoon level and painted all together -- hence the sloppiness of the paint job (there is paint dripping all over the liner, etc).

Why the helmets were painted a blue/grey is a bit of a mystery, but apparently several specialty units would have grey helmets (bombers, machine gun, perhaps engineers?).

In any case, I really enjoy this helmet and hope you like the photos and
description. -Lee