Collectible or Fantasy Item

As a collector of original items, I am always on the look out for interesting tins to fill out kit displays. Here is a tin I have been seeing for sale on the market for 20 years or so .... doesn't it seem odd to you? There are several things in the photo that make me scratch my head! It's dated 1914 but the guy has a steel helmet? Is that 1908 web or is it '37 pattern? Do you notice anything else odd about it?

It looks like a No 4 rifle, which is SWW, but the putties are WW1 style, the helmet looks like a mark 4. But its just an artist's impression of a soldier, it may well be from 1914.

The first steel helmets were not available in 1914

A note re the stock number. A writing kit may have been authorized and catalogued at that date, but as inventories ran out they would be re-stocked with new tenders. It is likely that this is a later production of the kit, but used the original catalogue number.

Guys,

This type of kit is a complete fantasy item. I won't even call it a repro since this would give other collectors the idea that there is an original version of this tin. The British WWI writing kit were Active Service Envelopes and "Whizz Bangs". Other kit was obtained through services such as the YMCA, CAH, or the Salvation Army. Should one of these tins come available for sale please think twice before purchase ...

Problems with the tin pictured

1) Its dated 1914 but the steel helmet worn by the soldier in the picture was not invented yet
2) The soldier has a US Canteen not a British one
3) He has P37 Web not 1908 web
4) He has a WWII Rifle
5) British Kit was never marked Government Issue (GI is a US term) ... It was Broad Arrow and WD marked


Ypres