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.
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 front inside rim with heat lot number 916K. Also included is a complete leather chinstrap (typically missing).
Most interesting of all is a very rare complete D173013 communication rig by Western Electric, which is complete with earphones and chest microphone. The data plate on the red bakelite chest housing reads:
MADE IN U.S.A.
D173013
TYPE M SER. NO. 88832C
R17T23 (INT)
Each of the components also is marked with WESTERN ELECTRIC and the individual component number as part of the set. Complete sets are very rare, especially ones that have not had parts swapped out. Also comes with at least 6 feet of the wire for connecting to the console.
These helmets have become much harder to find lately, especially genuine WW2 examples with a complete undamaged liner and legible markings.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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