Great War rimless Brodie

I have acquired a new rimless Brodie. It has just a hint of its interior leather and canvas headgear but is otherwise a very fine example of the early helmet still with its original sand sprinkled paint.

I am curious of one thing, however. There seems to be an indication that there was once a rim attached to the edge of the helmet because there is a paint build-up around the perimeter of the helmet. On the other hand the original paint seems also to touch the edge beyond that line. I'm left wondering if an original rim fell off shortly after issue when the helmet was then painted in the trenches with the sand finish. 

There are no dates but the lot number of the steel used in the pressing is only 22 which must give it a very early dating. Does anyone have any insights into this?

Also of interest is the painting of a date and, possibly, a place, underneath the brim. Too much paint has been lost for me to be able to read the writing.

Great War infantry Mess Tin

I have recently bought a Great War infantry mess tin. This is the standard kidney shaped British mess tin in its First World War incarnation. 

Within two days I had also found a version from 1932. The 1932 tin is much simplified while the Great War version has little lugs on the front and side and back to allow for attachments straps.

 There are no maker's marks on my WWl tin, but there is a small "C" and broad arrow.

I am gradually accumulating a collection of infantry equipment from the Great War. All I am lacking now are the 2 inch webbing braces, the webbing carrier for a water canteen, and the webbing to take the scabbard and the helve. If anyone reading my blog has these items and would like to consider selling them to me please contact me. Here's my email address: timothyjsoper@gmail.com  

I don't presume I shall ever own a tunic, puttees, boots, and trousers, but who knows…

 

Great War mounted mess tin

Amongst the items I received from my grandfather was his "mounted mess tin". It has been well used and is fire scorched. These tins were the cooking and eating dish that were issued to men whose war time work involved riding horses, be the men officers, cavalry men, or artillery soldiers. The tin is shaped like a jam filled doughnut and measures 6 inches across.

Just the other day I chanced upon two of these in an antique shop. I had to buy them. One is in near pristine condition with a very silvered finish. It's almost like chrome on a car from the 1950s though I presume it's a tin or nickel plated process. There is no apparent use and no damage short of the dents made by the stamping process with the numbers 33 and the letters RCA, presumably for Royal Canadian Artillery. There are also the numbers and letters 89 FBCA. On the bottom is stamped "The Sheet Metal Products Company Limited", and the date 1916.

The other is not quite so well preserved as a small amount of rust has started and lifted off a bit of the peeling silvery plate. It is made by the Thomas Davidson Manufacturing Company of Montreal in 1913. This is indicated by a delightful little plate soldered onto the surface around the rim.

I intend to make some leather straps for these as this was how everything was kept together and how they were carried from the saddle. Web searches also show cloth covers similarly strapped.

I'm contemplating selling these as I do not need them for my own collection. If you're interested please contact me by email at this address: timothyjsoper@gmail.com

I'm selling them for $150 each, Plus shipping charges.