Combat helmet, airborne troops; sealed pattern, 1943

Made by Briggs Motor Bodies Limited, Dagenham, 1943.

A 'sealed pattern' is a prototype of any item that the British Army issued to soldiers. It provided clothing or equipment suppliers with an example to copy.

This British steel helmet designed for use by airborne forces was introduced during World War Two (1939-1945). Briggs Motor Bodies Limited produced this and similar designs for despatch riders and the Royal Armoured Corps.

Briggs Motor Bodies Limited was a subsidiary of the American Briggs Manufacturing Company which produced components for the Ford Motor Company. During World War Two its production sites in the United Kingdom were increased to meet the demand for pressed steel products such as helmets and fuel cans.