WW II - Pre-War Irish Free State - M1927 IRISH WHITE HELMET - VERY RARE!

Description

You are bidding on a VERY RARE example of a 100% ORIGINAL Pre-WW2 Irish Free State M1927 Irish White Helmet!  This was originally part of the
US Army Technical Research Laboratory and Foundry.
In the Irish General Election of 1918 Sinn Fein won the majority of the electoral seats and proclaimed a self-constituted Irish parliament in Dublin which immediately declared Ireland an independent republic. This resulted in a guerilla style civil war with the Sinn Fein allied with the fledgling Irish Republic Army battling against the Royal Irish Constabulary and the volunteer British Blacks & Tans. .
In December 1921 a short-lived truce settlement was reached which designated Ireland as a Dominion under control of the British Empire and effectively partitioned the country into the southern Irish Free State with northern Ireland remaining as a part of the United Kingdom. This was unacceptable to the proponents of an independent Ireland and the civil war only intensified. In 1923 another treaty was signed, and an uneasy peace was achieved although the conflict would remain smoldering for decades.
In 1926 the Irish Free State decided to outfit its soldiers with steel helmets. The British helmets were deemed unsuitable due to Irish resentment, so the Irish approached the German consulate in an attempt to purchase surplus WWI German helmets.  Due to restrictions placed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles, the Germans were not permitted to sell any military hardware including helmets. For a short period of time the Irish experimented with the French Adrian style helmets but found them unacceptable. As a result, in 1927, the Irish contracted the Vickers forgery in England to produce a helmet in the style of the German M16 helmet. The helmet was almost identical to the German M16 with the main difference being the addition of washers to each of the three liner retaining rivets and the addition of two small, riveted metal loops to the helmet front for the inclusion of the modified M1924 pattern Officer’s identifying badge.
Used between 1927 and 1939, 10,021 were produced by Vickers Ltd. to supply the 10,000-man army.  While in army service it was painted a very dark green.  After the outbreak of WW2 (when the helmet was replaced by the British MKII), the remaining M1927 helmets were painted white and pressed into civil defense service.
Very few remain today, as most were steam rolled over and used as land fill in order to make new barracks.
Made of a lightweight stamped steel by Vickers Ltd., this M1916 Combat Helmet is in EXCELLENT used condition!  Acquired from another collector's estate, this was originally part of the US Army Technical Research Laboratory and Foundry (as with some of the other helmets I have listed).
Some marks, wear, and dents throughout, but still retains MUCH of the original paint and finish!  Markings are legible, indicating the Vickers Logo and Serial Number.
Liner is still 100% intact, and though not photographed, features a prominent manufacture stamp, indicating, "
T. Smith and Son, Dublin. 1927", along with a capital "L" (indicating a large size).
Chin strap is present, and though worn, still remains intact!
The UNIQUE feature is that this comes with the official US Army Research Laboratory Photographs and Negatives!  The helmet depicted in these images is the EXACT helmet you are bidding on, and each photo has a clear Army Property Stamp on the reverse.
A completely untouched example, it would a
PERFECT item for any collection or display!
Please email me if you need additional photos or information.
------------------- PAYMENT -----------------
Payment should be made within 7 business days at the end of the auction unless buyer contacts me for other arrangements. I accept all forms of payment.
------------------- SHIPPING -----------------
My goal is to ship within 7 days from auction end. However, depending on circumstances, it may take up to an additional 1 week from receipt of confirmed payment. If you need it shipped sooner, please let me know and I will do our best to accommodate.
------------------- TERMS OF SALE -----------------
Most of my items are vintage, and as such are AS-IS, so you must therefore expect a degree of wear due to age and/or usage. I will describe each auction to the best of my knowledge and take as many photos necessary to ensure you are pleased upon receiving your item. All sales are final, so please make sure your questions are answered to your satisfaction before you purchase.
------------------- ABOUT ME -----------------
Although my passion is the Me109, I do offer many other German Aircraft (Fw190, Me262, etc.), as well as USAF and Japanese items. Occasionally I do offer many non-vintage items such as prints and art relating to the time period. As a private collector myself, I am constantly on the lookout for historical memorabilia, authentic photographs, artwork or anything unique relating to military aircraft.
------------------- COPYRIGHT -----------------
All pictures and descriptions used in my auctions under COPYRIGHT and I forbid the use of these photos and information in any manner such as paper or electronic (internet) publications or otherwise. Use is solely based on my authorization only.
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