Item:
ONJR22BLI037

Original U.S. WWI 35th Infantry Division M1917 Doughboy Helmet - "Santa Fe Division"

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. This nice example has remnants of original period textured green/brown paint in great condition with minor scratching. The shell is marked with a stamping on the underside of the rim that reads ZD 54. This is a nice example of a genuine USGI Great War helmet from a well known infantry division of the US army.

The best feature is the original hand painted 35th "Sante Fe" Division insignias on either side in black and yellow paint. The Division Insignias maintain approximately 30% of their original paint and are still able to be seen.

The solid rivets and heat lot number indicate that this helmet shell was produced in the United States. The liner is present and is still attached to the shell. The chin strap is intact but does have heavy cracking present in the leather. The oil cloth of the liner is nice, but shows signs of age and use. The paper label in the middle of the helmet crown is missing.

This is truly a wonderful example that comes ready to display!

History of the 35th "Sante Fe" Infantry Division during the Great War:
Activated: 5 August 1917 (National Guard Division from Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska)
Overseas:
7 May 1918
Major Operations: Meuse-Argonne Offensive
Casualties: Total 7,296, (KIA 1,018, WIA 6,278)
Commanders: Maj. Gen. William M. Wright (25 August 1917), Brg. Gen. L. G. Berry (18 September 1917), Maj. Gen. William M. Wright (10 December 1917), Brg. Gen. Nathaniel F. McClure (15 June 1918), Maj. Gen. Peter E. Traub (2 November 1918), Brg. Gen. Thomas B. Dugan (25 November 1918), Maj. Gen. Peter E. Traub (7 December 1918), Brg. Gen. Thomas B. Dugan (27 December 1918)
Returned to U.S. and inactivated: April 1919.

History of the M1917 Helmet

The M1917 was the US Army's first modern combat helmet, used from 1917 and during the 1920s, before being replaced by the M1917A1. The M1917A1 helmet was an updated version of the M1917 and initially used refurbished WW1 shells.

The M1917 is a near identical version of the British Mk.I steel helmet, and it is important to note that when the US joined the Great War in 1917 they were initially issued with a supply of around 400,000 British made Mk.Is, before production began state side. The M1917 differed slightly in its lining detail, and exhibited US manufacture markings.

M1917 helmet liners typically show a paper label at the crown and the dome rivet head. The liner is set up as on the British versions, with an oilcloth band and net configuration, attached to a leather strap, riveted to the shell. The chinstrap is leather with steel buckle.

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