Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a rare example of an original U.S. Marine Corps M1917 "Doughboy" helmet, and is one of only a few that we had had, as they are very hard to come by. This very nice example is complete with most of the original period OD Green paint on the outer shell, and still has an original liner and chin strap. More importantly, the front still has a genuine bronze WWI USMC EGA Badge!
The underside of the rim is stamped D / A 119, indicating that the shell is one of the 400,000 British manufactured helmets supplied to the U.S. at their entrance into the war. The split pin rivets attaching the chin-strap bales further confirm this. The marking indicates that the helmet was produced by James Dixon & Sons Ltd of Sheffield using steel from Edgar Allen & Co Ltd of Sheffield, batch 119.
The outer shell of this helmet does show service wear, including some dents, however most of the original textured paint is still present. The interior paint is retained as well, with the usual areas of oxidation and dirt. The liner and chin strap are present, though the oil cloth on the liner is definitely degraded somewhat, as is the underlying netting. The top pad is also somewhat worn, though it still has the original paper label at the top, and a size marking of 6 7/8 on the top strap. It also is marked in pencil with 206166, possibly the service number of the owner. The chin strap is intact, but a bit stiff and dried out, with surface cracking.
This is an wonderful RARE example of a genuine USMC Great War helmet shell, all original and ready to display!
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 steel buckle.
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