*Belgium, Cold War, MKII Brodie Clone M51 ARP Helmet & Liner, Marked 56 ABL XB 1952, with original brown leather liner and chin strap*
Marked inside liner 56, ABL, XB, 1952. 56 = Size. ABL = Armee Belge/Belgissche Leger ( Belgium Army issue ). XB -The Manufacturer Xavier Buisset Vilvoorde. 1952 = year of issue.
After WWII, Belgium started manufacturing their version of the British Mk.II Helmet, known as the Belgian Mk.II Clone. This helmet was used by all branches of the Belgian military—Army, Navy, and Air Force—as well as in Civil Defence.
Produced from 1949 to 1952, the Belgian Mk.II Clone helmet was based closely on the British MkII design, with a near-identical shell and a liner screw set into a small crown indentation. The Belgian M1949 was a transitional post-war model, often assembled using a mix of surplus British parts and early Belgian-manufactured components. These early examples showed some variation in liner construction and chinstrap design. By around 1951–52, Belgium introduced a fully standardised version commonly referred to as the M1951 or M51. This definitive model featured a purpose-designed brown leather liner with five tongues and a drawstring, a cross-shaped Sorbo rubber crown pad covered in leather, and a green web chinstrap based on the British MkIII, secured with square riveted bales. Both versions used mild (magnetic) steel for the shell rims and lugs, differing from British wartime production. While the M1949 represents an important transitional step in Belgium’s rearmament, the M51 became the standard Cold War-era combat helmet, widely issued across the Belgian military and civil defence units and typically stamped with “ABL” and a dated manufacturer’s code.
After the Second World War, European countries, including Belgium, were heavily invested in rebuilding and preparing for any potential future conflicts. This included civil defense measures. By 1952, the Cold War was well underway, and the threat of aerial bombardment, whether from conventional or nuclear weapons, was a significant concern. This would have prompted Belgium to maintain a robust ARP organization.
*Condition*
Excellent used condition. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
