Brodie Hessian/Burlap Covers

[rsm]

Gentlemen,

A point of authenticity.. or lack of... that I have noticed whilst catching up on what has been happening in GWHS during my abscence... is with the subgect of the Brodie Hessian/Burlap Helmet Cover!

This type of personal/equipment comouflage first appeared in the British and Commonwealth forces during early 1916. At that time, there was only a basic need to stop the replection from the smooth surface design of the Brodie. The most common method was to use what materials were available = the Sandbag! The cover was made in either a two or a four peace variation, and was clean of any other attachments = strips of material for attaching additional natural (twigs, leaves, grass) or man made (material) camouflage. There was no requirement to do this!

With the coming of WW2, the British and Commonwealth armies used the same design helmet, designated as the Mk.2. This WW2 manufactured item was smaller in all dimentions than it's WW1 predecessor. The helmet cover however was also re-issued, but with the addition of the facility to attach additional camouflage - either man-made or natural.

The WW2 issued helmet cover was made in a similar way as the WW1 version, and if of hessian/burlap, is quite historically correct for a WW1 senario. However... the additional material strips which are attached to the outside surface - MUST BE REMOVED!

So Gentlemen, if you have a Brodie Helmet Cover... with the WW2 comouflage attachment strips on them!... would you please, for period authenticity... REMOVE THOSE STRIPS!?!

Thank you Gentlemen!

Seph

[trench digger#50]

would i be able to make a cover out of burlap i have or should i order one....
still working on the impression

[rsm]

Ayup Tony,

The Brodie is very easy to make yourself. Several of all of our unit have them, and i'm certain that if you contact either Sgt Harmon, or any of our chaps, they will help you out.

Good Luck.

Seph

[trench digger#50]

thanks seph

[qms]

Tony,

The simplest way to make a helmet cover is to cut a circle of sacking a little larger than the helmet; 'whip stitch'(blanket stitch?) the edge to stop the loose material pulling apart; sew in a hem and thread a string through the same.
Turn the material 'right-side-out', place over the helmet and stretch it until the string can be tied under the rim of the helmet.
Tie it down and cut the ends of the string to length.
No need to tailor or seam, the cloth stretches to fit.

Any help?

Tom


'Ow do Seph - it's great to see yoiu back.

T

[rsm]

Nice-one-Tom! :-)

I'm doing my best to get back into the swing, but am having a bit of trouble finding the sites I used to on. Can you give me help with the names of them? I think you were on most of the same?!?

Seph

[greg24]

Does anyone have a good photo of Brodie helmet Type A? Also when is any manufacturer going to make a good copy of the Mark1 and Mark2?

[oskar2ndchev]

Seph can probably answer those questions pretty thoroughly. :-)

Also, please take a moment to add an introduction in the appropriate section and be sure to sign your posts. Thanks!

[rsm2ndbtnlf]

Hello Greg,

My original photo-gallery (which was quite detailed) is not accessable at this moment in time, nor is my site info. However, i'm working on re-doing my original listing.. including site info. So, leave your request for a photo with me for the time being.

As to reproductions... none-existant : unless you want one in plastic!!

Mk.1's (period originals : shell only) are plentiful. These can be had for a reasonable price if one shops around. The other alternative... not one that I personaly would recommend for a top notch WW1 impression, is the WW2 Mk.2 with reproduction WW1 liner + chinstrap. I don't like that last option because the WW2 Mk.2 is smaller in all dimentions than its WW1 predecessor. So, unless your going to wear a hessian/burlap cover 100% of the time... please do not consider it.

[hanskc]

Hi All,

I'd like to add something to the Brodie Helmet discussion. There is a brand-new steel repro Brodie in production here in the US (not China!).
www.pflco.com/militaria.htm
These are not on the website yet. I just had a look, in person. You will be seriously impressed. He makes every variation of US and British Brodies through WW2. Want a first production razor-edge Brodie? He makes them.

There may be plenty of originals out there now, but eventually they will become scarce. Check out the new reproductions.

John -- Midwest Great War Living History Association

quoted:
***

As to reproductions... none-existant : unless you want one in plastic!!

Mk.1's (period originals : shell only) are plentiful. These can be had for a reasonable price if one shops around.

***

[rsm2ndbtnlf]

Update appreciated on the availability of reproduction brodies. I'll certainly be scanning to see how things turn out!

[dutch911]

Hi has anyone got a link for a pattern for a hessian /burlap
helmet cover