A First War Mark II 19th Canadian Infantry Battalion Helmet

A First War Mark II 19th Infantry Battalion, 4th Canadian Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division Helmet: British-made, steel, non-magnetic, in dark brown, green semi-circle above a navy blue rectangle painted on the front, the green semi-circle representative of the 19th Infantry Battalion, the navy blue rectangle representative of the 2nd Canadian Division. The protective edge of the helmet in a magnetic steel. It is stamped "H.V" over "506" ("H" indicating the manufacturer, Hutton and Sons Limited of Sheffield; the "V" indicating the steel supplier, Vickers Limited of Sheffield; and "506" the steel batch number) on the underside of the helmet at the rear. The inside is hollow, missing its steel-framed cradle, blackened canvas liner, burlap support, leather backer, mesh support with drawstring and chin strap, although the hardware remains intact. The helmet measures 292 mm x 307 mm x 120 mm, exhibiting contact marks and surface wear on the exterior, one small dent at the right rear on top, bubbling on the brim, along with surface rust on the interior.

Footnote: The Battalion was raised and mobilized in Toronto, Ontario under the authority of G.O. 36, March 15, 1915. The Battalion sailed on May 13, 1915 with a strength of 41 officers and 1,075 other ranks under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J.J. McLaren. The Battalion served in France and Belgium with the 4th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division. It was disbanded on September 15, 1920. (C:4)