Item Description
Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a fantastic genuine Great War hand painted camouflage helmet, with a complete original liner and repaired chinstrap. The helmet features original period colored panel camouflage paint in a multitude of colors, including blue, red, green, white, and others! There look to be at least 8 different hues, more than we usually see.
The paint is a bit worn, and definitely shows some use, but it has a great look and the colors are still easily discernible, with a lovely patina. The interior of the helmet has some of the the original paint, with a bit of corrosion around the rim. The liner is in good shape, with intact oilcloth and netting, as well as an intact felt top pad and remnants of the original label. The securing strap however is torn on one side next to the center retaining rivet, and the liner itself is tearing away from the securing strap at the attachment points as well. The chinstrap is also present, and and does have a stapled repair near the buckle, so it should definitely be handled with care.
The underside of the rim is stamped ZF 38, 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 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.
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