New Zealand MkII
Australian manufactured raw edge MkII helmets were supplied to New Zealand, they were assembled in NZ with Australian (Dunlop) liners, in this case a MkI, identified by the oval crown pad, and MkI chinstraps with brass hardware. These helmets can be identified as NZ issue by the "nPz" stampings on the chinstrap luggs (New Zealand Precision Engineering Ltd. Wellington). New information has come to hand recently that seems to confirm that this company supplied the luggs and rivets to General Motors in Petone Wellington to assemble 1000 helmets. As far as I am aware this was the only batch supplied. Also manufactured by NZ Precision Engineering were Grenade striker levers and gas check plugs as well as a limited number of the rare New Zealand manufactured Sten Gun. Please see photos at the bottom of this page for images of these Grenades with the exact same trademark.
The shell is stamped "CS 204", Commonwealth Steel Australia. The cover pictured is the hessian type produced for use in the Western Desert, it is stamped "BCNB Ltd 1942".
The shell is stamped "CS 204", Commonwealth Steel Australia. The cover pictured is the hessian type produced for use in the Western Desert, it is stamped "BCNB Ltd 1942".
The two photos below show New Zealand MkII helmets being assembled with MkI liners by General Motors Ltd in War Time Wellington, NZ.
Above and Below: Striker Levers and Gas Check Plug on New Zealand Mills Hand Grenades supplied by New Zealand Precision Engineering, Wellington. During WWII.
