Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. The MkII "Talker" helmet was developed in 1942 for naval personnel, allowing communications headgear to be easily worn under the helmet. It was a very large and somewhat ungainly helmet to wear though it did serve its purpose very well. It was designed to accommodate wearing headphones for Radiomen or anyone using shipboard sound-powered phones. This example is in fantastic condition with its original chinstrap, and the original headset, microphone, and manual in its original box!
The Mk-2 was manufactured by the McCord Radiator Company in Detroit Michigan; the "Arsenal of Democracy. Its composition is non-magnetic Hadfield manganese steel. In addition to accommodating headphones, it also provided a great deal of protection to the wearer. The bowl is so wide it even provided some coverage to the shoulders of the sailor who was underneath it. Painted sea blue the Mk II, like the Mk I, has cork applied with the paint to provide a textured, non-reflective surface. Nicely marked on the inside rim USN and MK-2. . Also included is a complete chinstrap (typically missing). The rubber liner is still fully intact and is miraculously still squishy and pliable!
Most interesting of all is a very rare complete MI-2045 Headset that is complete with earphones, chest microphone, manual, and box. The data plate on the bakelite chest housing reads:
HEADSET MI-2454-B
TYPE O SPEC.
SERIAL 47448
RADIO CORPORATION OF AMERICA
CAMDEN, N.J. U.S.A.
(RCA LOGO)
The set is completely unissued with twine still wrapped around the wire to keep it coiled. The set is in its original box with a shield on the side reading
FOR VICTORY
SAVE AND
SELL
THIS EMPTY CARTON
AS WASTEPAPER
The rarest part of this set is the original manual, the cover of which depicts a man wearing the helmet and using the microphone as radio waves emulate from a battleship in the background. It reads
TELEPHONE
TALKERS’
MANUAL
UNITED STATES FLEET - HEADQUARTERS OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF
RESTRICTED
The manual is dated November 19th, 1943 and has 8 chapters going through the item’s background use, and disciplines. It is in amazing shape and is 46 pages long. It will look phenomenal displayed with the rest of the set.
These helmets have become much harder to find lately, especially genuine WW2 examples with the original communications setup and its original manual! This is the most complete example we’ve ever offered. Comes ready for further research and display, don’t miss it!
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
