Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good original Canadian-manufactured WWII Mk II steel helmet, dated 1941 and complete with its liner, elasticated chinstrap, and a particularly desirable original-style Canadian two-color camouflage helmet net. The shell retains much of its dark olive-drab satin finish with heavier wear and finish loss around the stainless-steel rim.

The shell is overall in great shape with no major issues. The helmet net is a dark brown green color, with nice cotton construction, typical of the type used by Canadian and British forces during WWII. The shell is stamped on the underside rim with G.S.W. / MK. I / S / 1941. G.S.W. is for General Steel Wares. of Toronto who made helmets from 1940 to 1942, making this a rather rare maker to come across.

The original liner is in great service-worn condition, with nice oil cloth, and only light wear from service. There are no markings to be found on the liner, common to see on the Canadian-made helmets. The MkIII simple elastic chin strap is in springy condition, with some wear, and has only a bit of staining. It is the standard type seen, with springs inside fabric on the end sections, and adjustable middle section.

The Canadian Mk II helmet followed the basic British steel-helmet form developed from the First World War Brodie pattern but incorporated wartime Canadian production methods and locally manufactured components. Canada entered large-scale helmet production during World War II, with manufacturers including General Steel Wares and the Canadian Motor Lamp Company producing shells for Canadian forces and related wartime requirements.

The familiar wide-brimmed Mk II remained the standard Canadian combat helmet through much of the war and continued in widespread service even after the introduction of the deeper Mk III helmet during the Normandy campaign. The Mk II was particularly well suited to the addition of camouflage netting.

Canadian troops frequently wore both locally produced two-color nets and British-produced brown nets, often adding strips of scrim, foliage, field dressings, or other material depending upon local conditions and unit practice.

This example is especially appealing for the combination of its 1941 G.S.W. shell marking, surviving dark olive-drab finish, stainless-steel rim, original liner, elasticated Mk II-type chinstrap, and desirable Canadian two-color camouflage net. The heavier rim wear and general service marks give the helmet an honest wartime appearance, while the two-color net provides one of the most immediately recognizable features associated with Canadian field helmets of the Second World War.