1944-1945 Canadian Army Motorcycle Dispatch Rider's Helmet
Entry/Object ID
1984.12.2
Description
1944-1945 Canadian Army motorcycle dispatch rider's Mark I steel helmet. The outer shell is made of manganese steel. The edge of the helmet is crimped. Four rivets surround the outer shell; two on the front and two on the back. There is a leather chinstrap (35 cm long x 2 cm wide) made adjustable with a buckle (2.5 cm long x 2 cm wide) and ear flaps with a back lacing placket, each side with four metal grommets (0.9 cm diameter). On either ear flap is seven circles (0.7 cm diameter) punched into the leather in a circular pattern. On the inside of the chin straps in a piece of white felted wool (8 cm long x 5 cm wide) only sewn onto one side. A layer of padding (2 cm thick) surrounds the inside of the helmet underneath the sweatband. The sweatband is made of leather. On the inside of the shell is four loops of khaki green twill tape joined together with a single white cord to create the suspension system.
Context
In July 1943, "Steel Helmet, DR Mark I" was issued to all officers and other ranks who travelled on a motorcycle or side-car on duty, specifically to decrease the number of fractured skulls and other injuries sustained from motorcycle accidents.
