1943 Paratrooper Helmet/Commando flashes and number

Evening folks,

43' dated BMB paratrooper helmet. Never seen markings of the like before but they all appear to be period and consistent with the wear/tear.

Numbered RM /30/58 and named to a 'LEES'. Dagger insignia to the front along with other interesting designs...

Thoughts?

Cheers.

Picture 2

picture 3

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 09/08/2019 23:14:07

Hi Spook,

The 'dagger insignia' on the front of the helmet is certainly not of that period - The colours are wrong and the design of the fighting knife is wrong and is often seen on reproduction patches...

On 2nd November 1944, Major General Sturges, GOC SS Group made a request that Commandos were allowed to wear a distinctive formation patch that was unique to The Commandos as more and more soldiers, sailors and airmen were qualified to wear the Combined Ops patch.

The suggested design was the Commando Dagger (Commando Qualification badge). General Sturges emphasised that there was no desire to change the colour of the patch of Red on Blue.
The application was approved...

Attached is the actual design that was submitted and is now filed in the War Diaries in The National Archives at Kew.

Nick

Evening,
Thanks for the post. I should have made myself slightly clearer. I gather the paint job is not of period wartime origin coinciding with the date, but a postwar dating. I have heard Korea mentioned as a possible theatre for use.

I had hoped the numbering would allow the flashes and paint job to be dated more accurate - the commandos are not my forte nor the focus of my own collection.

Cheers