^Lot 337 1927 pattern Irish Army Vickers steel helmet

A nice example complete with leather interior and chin strap. Stamped with makers' mark internally. This 'coal scuttle' shape, favoured by the Germans, was actually of English manufacture. As World war II progressed the Defence Forces changed to the same design as British Forces, allegedly so as not to be confused with the Nazis but actually because Vickers had stopped making the 'coal scuttle'. Most of the obsolete Vickers helmets were painted white and issued to members of Civil Defence.