Original Item: Only One Available. The MkII "Talker" helmet was developed in 1942 for naval personnel, allowing communications headgear to be easily worn under the helmet. It was a very large and somewhat ungainly helmet to wear though it did serve its purpose very well. It was designed to accommodate wearing headphones for Radiomen or anyone using shipboard sound-powered phones.

The Mk-2 was manufactured by the McCord Radiator Company in Detroit Michigan; the "Arsenal of Democracy". Its composition is non-magnetic Hadfield manganese steel. In addition to accommodating headphones, it also provided a great deal of protection to the wearer. The bowl is so wide it even provided some coverage to the shoulders of the sailor who was underneath it. Painted sea blue the Mk II, like the Mk I, has cork applied with the paint to provide a textured, non-reflective surface. Nicely stamped on the front inside rim with MK2 next to heat lot number 117A. It also has the correct MK-2 and U.S.N. markings on the front and rear interior, respectively. The leather chinstrap however is missing, which is typical.

Most interesting of all is a very rare complete D173013 communication rig by Western Electric, which is complete with earphones, chest microphone, and the almost always missing NECK STRAP.  The data plate on the red bakelite chest housing reads:

Each of the components also is marked with WESTERN ELECTRIC and the individual component number as part of the set. Complete sets are very rare, especially ones that have not had parts swapped out. Condition is very good, though the insulation on the earphone cords has started to crack and fall off. Also comes with at least 6 feet of the wire for connecting to the console, with the correct end plug.

These helmets have become much harder to find lately, especially genuine WW2 examples with a complete undamaged liner and legible markings.