{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwi-m1917-27th-division-painted-doughboy-helmet-attributed-to-pfc-george-l-oneill-jr-104th-field-artillery","title":"Original U.S. WWI M1917 27th Division Painted Doughboy Helmet - Attributed to PFC George L. O'Neill Jr., 104th Field Artillery","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very appealing original U.S. WWI M1917 “Doughboy” helmet displaying a hand-painted insignia of the famous 27th Division, the New York National Guard division commanded during the First World War by Major General John F. O’Ryan. The helmet retains its original-style liner assembly and a portion of its leather chinstrap, with the underside of the rim clearly stamped \u003cb\u003eZF 38\u003c\/b\u003e, identifying the shell as an American-manufactured M1917 example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe most notable feature is the large painted 27th Division “Orion” insignia on the front of the shell. The design consists of a dark circular field bordered and decorated in red, with the distinctive New York monogram and seven stars representing the constellation Orion. The constellation was incorporated as a play on the surname of the division commander, Major General John F. O’Ryan. The insignia was officially authorized for the 27th Division in October 1918.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis insignia has the expected age and wear but remains immediately recognizable. The red paint has mellowed to a deep reddish-brown tone, while scattered abrasions. Importantly, the insignia has not been cleaned or restored to make it unnaturally bright, and it retains the subdued character expected from a helmet that has survived for more than a century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe shell itself retains a heavily textured brown-olive finish with extensive age toning, scratches, and scattered paint loss. Despite the considerable service and storage wear, the helmet presents very well. The rim remains in place and the original chinstrap bales are still securely attached.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe interior retains a substantial portion of the original M1917 liner assembly, including the blackened oilcloth-covered liner material and central padding. The liner shows considerable age, with tears and deterioration around the crown, but remains remarkably substantial considering its age. A portion of the original brown leather chinstrap and its metal buckle also survive, while the opposite strap section is no longer present. There is some oxidation and verdigris around the surviving buckle hardware\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf particular interest, the surviving chinstrap is marked \u003cb\u003e1225045\/USFA\u003c\/b\u003e. The helmet has been attributed to Private First Class George L. O'Neill Jr. of Brooklyn, New York, who served with Battery F, 104th Field Artillery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 104th Field Artillery belonged to the 52nd Field Artillery Brigade of the 27th Division. The division was created from units of the New York National Guard following America's entry into the First World War and trained at Camp Wadsworth in South Carolina before going overseas in 1918. Under Major General O'Ryan, it retained a particularly strong New York identity and was one of the American divisions assigned to fight alongside British forces on the Western Front.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 27th Division first entered the line in Flanders before taking part in the major Allied offensives of the final months of the war. Its best-known fighting came during the September 1918 assault on the German Hindenburg Line in the Saint-Quentin Canal sector. Alongside the 30th Division and British and Australian forces, the New Yorkers attacked some of the strongest positions in the German defensive system. The fighting was severe and costly, but the operations contributed to the breakthrough of the Hindenburg Line and the German retreat that followed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe experience of the division's artillery was somewhat different. Although the 52nd Field Artillery Brigade had been organized as the artillery component of the 27th Division, it was separated from the division after reaching France. The 104th Field Artillery consequently served under other American formations and later participated in operations associated with the Meuse-Argonne campaign, rather than accompanying the 27th Division infantry during its Hindenburg Line fighting. This helps explain why a helmet associated with a member of the 104th Field Artillery can properly carry the 27th Division insignia while reflecting a different overseas combat history.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45569826619461,"sku":"ONJR26JYHG035","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/206DACAC-A05C-41C9-AC27-E15B01A5CD1D.jpg?v=1786996776","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwi-m1917-27th-division-painted-doughboy-helmet-attributed-to-pfc-george-l-oneill-jr-104th-field-artillery","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}