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1 of 253523 objects
Mark 1 steel helmet 1916-17
Steel, leather | RCIN 68933

John Leopold Brodie (1873-1945)
Mark 1 steel helmet 1916-17

John Leopold Brodie (1873-1945)
Mark 1 steel helmet 1916-17


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A Mark 1 steel helmet with leather chin strap, the front of the helmet has an applied Royal Horse Guards cap badge on the front, with central GvR monogram; RHG has been painted in large black letters on the front. The interior has a leather lining.
This type of helmet derives from those designed by John Leopold Brodie in 1915. At the start of the First World War in 1914 the troops from most of the participating countries did not have sufficient head protection in order to protect from modern weapons. This type of steel helmet could withstand much more than the cloth or leather helmets previously used. They were introduced to British troops in 1915 and underwent various modifications over the years, but were still in use during the Second World War.
This example was worn by King George V on one of his visits to the Western Front.Provenance
Worn by King George V on a visit to the Western Front during the First World War. It formed part of King George V's War Museum at Windsor Castle, established to display his collection of First World War souvenirs; the King was assisted by the Royal Archivist & Librarian John Fortescue (1859-1933). Many of these objects were loaned to the Imperial War Museum in 1936 at the suggestion of King Edward VIII.
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Creator(s)
Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Steel, leather