Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic, genuine American made Great War hand painted 6th Infantry Division helmet, which features a lovely painted red star insignia on the front. The helmet is actually named on the chinstrap to Private John A Lesson, 11th Field Artillery Regiment and attached to the 6th Infantry Division for most of the war. He enlisted on April 29, 1918 and served overseas from August 14, 1918 to May 22, 1919, receiving his discharge 5 days later.
We have not been able to find much on his service, but what we did find was printed out and will be included with the helmet. One of the documents we were able to find was his WWI service abstract. Everything checks out with the units and time served, but there was a rather interest addition Pvt Lesson wrote in the bottom. He states that he was “at the front” from October 26 to November 11, 1918. He served during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive with the 89th Division. It was during this time that he also states “at that time attached to the 89th division [I] was badly gassed.” It’s not very often you can find credible documents for soldiers from the Great War, making this an excellent research opportunity.
The paint is somewhat worn, and definitely shows use, but it has a great look and the colors are still mostly discernible. The underside of the rim is stamped ZB 47 indicating it was produced in the United States, and can be seen on the underside of the skirt towards the front. The solid rivets on the chin strap bales is another method of identifying the helmet as being American made.
The helmet features a beautiful “Red Star” on the front. After the Armistice, the 6th continued its hikes through France and Germany to spread the fame of the six-point Red Star, adopted as the Division insignia on November 19, 1918. The bulk of the Division returned to the States in June of 1919 aboard the USS Leviathan.
The paint is somewhat worn, and definitely shows use, but it has a great look and the colors are still mostly discernible. The interior of the helmet has most of the original paint present.
The liner and upper chinstrap portion is present and in worn condition with wear present. The solid oilcloth liner is worn but undamaged with the underlying net, top felt pad and the top paper label.
A wonderful totally original helmet shell with genuine original paint! Ready to display!
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