Armour, Body, MRC, British

Rare genuine WWII British MRC Body Armour.

Introduced in the spring of 1942 following the recommendations of the Medical Research Council, this individual piece of gear, intended for protecting most vital organs, was made up of three plates of manganese steel (1mm) covered with cloth and linked together by adjustable web straps with metal buckles: at the front, the main element covers a portion of the chest and most of the abdomen, whereas the lower plate protects the groin area; at the rear, the last piece was designed to fit on the lower back and spine.

Despite a rather light overall weight (3.5 pounds) and modifications aiming at improving general comfort, this item was, after various trials, considered quite burdensome in actual combat conditions, hampering movement and thus reducing the wearer's mobility under enemy fire.

Besides, large-scale production may have diverted a part of the metal needed for manufacturing helmets, and only 79,000 units were effectively issued, including 65,000 to the Royal Air Force. Most of the remaining 15,000 units were supplied to the 21st Army Group, which provided them to airborne troops and the Special Air Service, as well as the First Canadian Army. Although the MRC Body Armour might have seen little use in the European Campaign, a few pictures show that it was worn in combat by some Canadian soldiers.

Complete and in very good overall condition.