Original British WWI Rare “Leather Tanker Helmet of 1916” Complete With Liner and Chinstrap Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. Issued to the first British tank crews in 1916 as a personal protection against head injury, the helmet was sometimes mistaken for German headgear when crews abandoned their vehicles in action (with often disastrous consequences for the wearers). Amongst tank crews headdress was often a matter of choice, therefore the standard Brodie pattern steel helmet was regularly worn as was the softer and more comfortable peaked service dress cap in place of the short-lived tank helmet.

The helmet is fashioned from deep brown leather, now black in appearance, which is riveted together along the central seam and side panels. Its interior still has its original leather sweatband and the thin brown leather chinstrap, now in delicate condition.

‘These helmets were issued to British tank crews but they were not popular with tank drivers and many crew members did not use them. They were to be worn with the tank splatter mask but these were found not to be fit for purpose as shell splinters could penetrate the leather body. It is said that also from a distance they looked like the German steel helmet, so on the confusion of the battle field could have been picked off by British infantry and snipers.

Stuart Wheeler, archive manager at the Tank Museum, said: ‘This type of helmet was introduced in the summer of 1916 and used at the Somme from September till the end of the year.

The overall condition is still quite nice and solid. The leather exterior does show telltale signs of faithful use. The leather sweatband is firmly attached and surprisingly still supple with minimal cracking. The leather chinstrap, though complete, is extremely delicate so it is recommended to handle it as little as possible.

An excellent issued helmet of one of, if not the rarest British headgear from WWI! Comes more than ready for further research and display.