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 marked on the front inside rim with a heat lot number, which is partly under the rim, so it is not legible. It also has the correct MK-2 and U.S.N. markings on the front and rear interior, respectively. Also included is a complete leather chinstrap (typically missing).

Most interesting of all is a very rare complete MI-2454-B communication rig by Radio Corporation of America (RCA) in Camden, NJ, which is complete with earphones and 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 the RCA logo, along with some mold lot numbers and other control markings. Complete sets are very rare, especially ones that have not had parts swapped out. The only item missing is one of the "ear plug" extensions for the ear cup. Also comes with a complete cable with connecting plug, something we've never had before!

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