Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a U.S. M1917 "Doughboy" helmet shell, with a great worn look. It also features some of the original period OD Green paint, and is marked on the side to the 35th Infantry Division - Santa Fe. The shell is maker marked with a stamping on the underside of the rim that reads ZC 38. The solid rivets and heat lot number indicate that this helmet shell was produced in the United States. There is a tag with the helmet that indicates "ZC" is the code for Columbian Enameling & Stamping Co. of Terre Haute, Indiana, who made 268,850 out of the total 2,207,237 made during the war.

The paint is in good service worn condition both inside and outside the helmet. The liner is completely missing, and there is definitely some oxidation flaking on the interior of the helmet, some of which looks to be the remains of the liner. The shell is still in good shape, with a great patina.

The best feature of this helmet shell is definitely the original hand painted 35th Infantry Division - Santa Fe Division emblem on the side of the helmet. The official logo for this division is a cross inside a circle on a blue field, however we have seen many color variations for this division, including Blue & Yellow. This example uses very dark blue and yellow paint to make the insignia. The paint is well retained, with the expected wear from use and age.

A great example of an authentic WWI "Doughboy" helmet from the 35th Infantry Division, ready to display!

The 35th Division was ordered into federal service August 5, 1917, and was then organized August 25, 1917, at Camp Doniphan, Oklahoma, as a unit of the National Guard, with troops from Missouri and Kansas.

The 35th Division arrived at Le Havre, France, on 11 May 1918. The 35th served first, a brigade at a time, in the Vosges mountains between 30 June and 13 August. The whole division served in the Gerardmer sector, Alsace, 14 August to 1 September; Meuse-Argonne, 21 to 30 September; Sommedieu sector, 15 October, to 6 November. Men of the division spent ninety-two days in quiet sectors and five in active; advanced twelve and one half kilometres against resistance, captured 781 prisoners, and lost 1,067 killed and 6,216 wounded.The 35th Division had as an officer Captain Harry Truman, 33rd President of the United States, who commanded Battery D of the 129th Field Artillery Regiment.

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.