Original U.S. WWI M1917 Army Air Service Doughboy Helmet Shell with Panel Camouflage Paint & Painted Sopwith Camel
-
Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a fantastic genuine Great War hand painted camouflage helmet shell, which has lost all of the original liner. The helmet features textured original period colored panel camouflage paint in a multitude of colors, including red, brown, and various shades of green and blue. It also has a red, blue, and white "Roundel" insignia on the front with a propeller, with a gorgeous small Sopwith Camel biplane depicted underneath.
The textured camouflage paint is still in great shape, with just a bit of wear around the edges, where it has chipped off. The interior of the helmet has all the original paint, with some rust corrosion in the center where the liner pad used to be. Both chin strap bales are still present.
The underside of the rim is stamped ZD 194, indicating that the shell is a U.S. manufactured shell, and not British. The solid rivet attaching the chin-strap bale further confirm this.
A wonderful totally original helmet shell with genuine original paint! Ready to display!
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.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
We Buy Military Antiques
Our team expert buyers travels the world to pay fair prices for entire estate collections to singular items.
START SELLING TODAY
