Historical information
From 1936, the Australians began to explore the feasibility of local production of steel helmets. Actual production by the Commonwealth Steel Company (in conjunction with Lysaghts) began in 1939.
Made of manganese steel, it weighed about 1.1kg. Due to lack of machinery to bend manganese steel strip, the helmets were produced with a raw, but bevelled, edge.
Almost two million helmet bodies were produced.
Australian helmets were painted in sand textured Australian Army Khaki-Green No.3. A wide-meshed knotted net was often worn.
The chin-strap was a copy of the British Mk.II. it was made with cloth covered springs and webbing.
Physical description
Green steel helmet with 8/7th RVR colour patch on each side
