*British, WW2-Dated 1945, Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) Steel Tank Crew Helmet Mk I HSRAC, Attributed to Polish Armed Forces in the West (Polskie Siły Zbrojne na Zachodzie), Size 7, CCL Liner*
A genuine Second World War British Helmet, Steel, Royal Armoured Corps, Mk I (HSRAC Mk I), retaining its original liner and web chinstrap, and bearing remnants of a yellow stencilled Polish eagle to the front, attributed to the Polskie Siły Zbrojne na Zachodzie (Polish Armed Forces in the West). An honest late-war armoured crew helmet with strong Polish armoured association.
Steel HSRAC Mk I shell in original textured khaki/olive finish with natural service patination throughout. The front retains visible remnants of a yellow crowned Polish eagle stencil, now worn but clearly discernible within the textured finish.
The helmet retains the correct three-bolt Mk I configuration: one central crown bolt securing the liner; one bolt to the left side securing the chinstrap lug and one bolt to the right side securing the chinstrap lug. The interior is fitted with its original cruciform liner system secured by the single central crown bolt, confirming the Mk I pattern. The oilcloth-covered pads remain in place and show expected age-related drying and cracking. The liner is clearly stamped: "CCL/11/1945" below which there is a faint "7". Denoting manufacture by Christy & Co. Ltd., London, dated November 1945, size 7. The helmet retains its original web chinstrap assembly fitted through fixed side lugs, the strap ends folded and secured in the correct wartime manner. No modern replacements observed. No evidence of restoration, repainting, or refurbishment. Shell manufacturer marking not visible.
Historical Note:
The Helmet, Steel, Royal Armoured Corps (HSRAC) was introduced in 1943 to provide improved fragmentation protection for armoured fighting vehicle crews when operating outside their vehicles. Earlier composition tank helmets — including the RTC Pattern 1935, RTR Pattern 1939 and RAC Pattern 1940 — were designed primarily to protect against impact within confined turret spaces and offered no ballistic protection. To address this deficiency, the War Office adopted the successful profile of the Helmet, Steel, Airborne Troops (HSAT Mk I), modifying it for armoured use. The resulting Mk I HSRAC retained the distinctive low-profile airborne shell shape but incorporated a riveted liner secured by a single central crown bolt and was fitted with a standard web chinstrap rather than the specialised airborne harness. Although derived from the airborne design, the HSRAC was issued specifically to Royal Armoured Corps; Reconnaissance Corps; GHQ Liaison Regiments; Certain Royal Navy armoured units and was not a paratrooper helmet.
Polish Armed Forces in the West Attribution:
The yellow crowned eagle stencil strongly suggests service with the Polskie Siły Zbrojne na Zachodzie (Polish Armed Forces in the West). Polish armoured and airborne formations serving under British command frequently applied the Polish eagle in yellow or white paint to British-issued helmets, including HSRAC and HSAT patterns. This practice is documented in period photographs of: 1 Dywizja Pancerna (1st Polish Armoured Division) under General Stanisław Maczek and Polish airborne formations training and operating in Britain and Northwest Europe. While the stencil is now worn, its outline and placement are consistent with known Polish applications. The late 1945 liner date is entirely consistent with continued service of Polish armoured formations during occupation duties in Germany following VE Day.
CCL (Christy & Co Ltd, London):
The liner stamp “CCL” denotes manufacture by Christy & Co Ltd, London. Founded in 1773 by Miller Christy, the firm became one of Britain’s most prominent and respected hat manufacturers during the 19th century, supplying both civilian and military markets. By the mid-Victorian period, Christy’s was one of the largest hat manufacturers in the world. During the Second World War, Christy & Co Ltd operated as a major government contractor. In addition to civilian production, the company manufactured large quantities of military headgear and helmet liners under War Office contract. Their output included liners for: Helmet, Steel, Mk II (“Brodie”); Helmet, Steel, Royal Armoured Corps (HSRAC) and Other service headgear including RAF equipment. Production facilities operated in London (Bermondsey Street) and at Stockport during the war years. The stamp format seen in this helmet: CCL / 11 / 1945. Indicates manufacture by Christy & Co Ltd in November 1945. Christy’s remains in existence today as Christys’ London, recognised as one of the oldest surviving millinery houses in the world.
*Condition*
Original textured finish with honest service patination. Yellow eagle stencil visible but naturally worn. Liner complete with typical oilcloth cracking from age. Original chinstrap. Correct three-bolt Mk I configuration. No evidence of modern restoration. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
RQMAEOXBBE_6859230199
