Original U.S. WWII M1917A1 Kelly Helmet with Full Liner & Chinstrap - Made from WWI Doughboy Helmet
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Original Item: Only One Available. This is a genuine, very nice WWII U.S. Army M1917A1 "Kelly" Helmet. The helmet is complete with the original liner, chin strap and the small leather skull pad that is often missing from these helmets is present. The shell is an M1917 helmet shell and has the original OD green paint mostly intact, including the textured "corked" exterior. This example was quite heavily coated with cork, which has now worn through in areas, giving it an attractive speckled appearance. The shell is heat stamped 192 ZD in the steel under the brim and is still very clear.
The single rivet chinstrap bales denote this as a WWI U.S. M1917 helmet shell, as well as the heat stamp under the brim. There are shapes carved into the finish of the helmet, a triangle on one side and a rectangle on the other. The significance of these shapes isn’t clear and requires further research. There is heavy chipping in the finish of the helmet, and should be handled with care.
The canvas chin strap is worn somewhat, but still solid. There is a bit of staining, but no tears and the brass buckle and clip are correct and intact. A great original early WWII helmet with lots of history.
Ready to display!
The M1917A1 helmet was a transitional helmet used during the early years of WWII prior to the introduction of the more common M1 Helmet. It was basically a M1917 helmet shell, as used during WWI, with an improved liner and chin strap assembly. These helmets were widely used by the US Army Troops that occupied the Pacific Islands before and the Pearl Harbor Attack. They were also used by the USMC in the early Island Campaigns of 1942 & 1943.
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