British MkIV "Turtle" Helmet

Designed originally as the Mark III in 1941 and first seeing issue in 1943 the "Turtle" helmet was evidenced through the latter stages of WW2 and definitively from the D-Day landings in mid 1944. A design change to allow the removal of the liner (the same waxed fabric of the Brodie Mk2) in 1944 using a 'lift the dot' tab inside the crown pad and lower set bale points, distinguishes the MKIV. This is an extremely rare and beautiful original  item, given its wartime heritage and the fact the design, later the MKV, with its fabric donut liner and cushioning pads, was then used right up to the end of the 1970's and onwards before being replaced by the MkVI.