Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a U.S. M1917 "Doughboy" helmet, which features original period Dark Green paint and retains much of the original textured paint as well as a beautiful 3rd Infantry Division striped insignia on the front. The division’s insignia consists of three white stripes on a blue field. The stripes symbolize the operations the division participated in during WWI. The blue background represents the loyalty of those who sacrifice their lives serving in this division to protect American liberty and democracy.

This shell is stamped ZA 180 indicating it was produced in the United States, and can be seen on the underside of the skirt towards the front. ZA is the markings for the Crosby Manufacturing Co.

The solid rivets on the chin strap bales is another method of identifying the helmet as being American made. The liner and chinstrap are present and in solid condition. The liner still retains the original top felt pad as well as much of the paper label. There is a faint name on the upper portion of the chinstrap that reads as E GORMAN a soldier we have not been able to locate information on.

This is a wonderful example of a complete M1917 doughboy helmet. Comes more than ready for display.

The 3rd Division was activated on 21 November 1917, seven months after the American entry into World War I, at Camp Greene, North Carolina. Eight months later, it saw combat for the first time in France on the Western Front.

At midnight on 14 July 1918, the division earned a lasting distinction. Engaged in the Aisne-Marne Offensive as a member of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) to Europe, the division was protecting the French capital of Paris with a position on the banks of the Marne River. The 8th Machine Gun Battalion of the 3rd Division rushed to Château-Thierry amid retreating French troops[citation needed] and held the Germans back at the Marne River. While surrounding units retreated, the 3rd Division, including the 4th, 30th, and 38th Infantry Regiments, remained steadfast throughout the Second Battle of the Marne, and Colonel Ulysses G. McAlexander's dogged defense earned the 38th Infantry Regiment its nickname as the "Rock of the Marne". During the massive attack, the 3rd Infantry Division's commanding officer, Major General Joseph T. Dickman, famously cried out "Nous Resterons La" (We Shall Remain Here). Their Blue and White insignia also earned them the nickname The Blue and White Devils." The rest of the division was absorbed under French command until brought back together under the command of Major General Joseph T. Dickman and by 15 July 1918 they took the brunt of what was to be the last German offensive of the war. General John Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing, Commander-in-chief of the AEF on the Western Front, called this stand "one of the most brilliant pages in the annals of military history". During the war, two members of the division were awarded the Medal of Honor.
Casualties during the war were 3,177 killed in action with 12,940 wounded.

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 MkI 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 a steel buckle.