Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a tremendous & great-condition example of a WWI M1917 Doughboy helmet painted for the 35th Division, American Expeditionary Forces. This helmet has a very unique camouflage scheme, implementing the 35th Division insignia on the front with 35 painted over it in red. The shell is marked with a stamping on the underside of the rim that reads ZE33.

The helmet features a camouflage pattern of green, blue, gray, and brown. The front of the helmet has the all-black insignia of the 35th Division, which denotes its use by the 70th Infantry Brigade. The division's shoulder patch, a Santa Fe cross in a circle, was conceived as a marking for division vehicles and baggage in 1918, and was first promulgated by 35th Division General Orders Number 25, issued on 27 March 1918. It was officially approved for the 35th Division on 29 October 1918 by the adjutant general of the American Expeditionary Force. The marking was later stenciled onto signs identifying the whereabouts of division units, soldiers' helmets, and finally was made into a shoulder sleeve insignia when that usage was authorized.

Twenty-four distinct combinations of quadrant and border colors were devised for all of the 35th Division's units. Each major unit of the 35th Division (the division headquarters and headquarters troop and the 128th Machine Gun Battalion, the 110th Field Signal Battalion, 110th Ammunition, 110th Sanitary, and 110th Supply Trains, the 110th Engineer Regiment and Train, the 69th Infantry Brigade, the 70th Infantry Brigade, and the 60th Field Artillery Brigade) was respectively identified by one of six border colors: blue, green, white, yellow, black, or red. The component units each had their own combination of quadrant colors, consisting of one or two of the aforementioned. Patches varied widely in exact design and material.

The back of the helmet is painted in red FRANCE 1918. The camouflage paint is in great shape and has almost no wear, meaning it was likely painted for a parade stateside. The solid rivets and heat lot number indicate that this helmet shell was produced in the United States. The liner is present and is still attached to the shell. The chin strap is intact and still solid. The oil cloth of the liner is nice, but shows signs of age and use. The paper label in the middle of the helmet crown is present.

This is truly a wonderful example that comes ready to display!

History of the 35th "Sante Fe" Infantry Division during the Great War:
Activated: 5 August 1917 (National Guard Division from Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska)
Overseas: 7 May 1918
Major Operations: Meuse-Argonne Offensive
Casualties: Total 7,296, (KIA 1,018, WIA 6,278)
Commanders: Maj. Gen. William M. Wright (25 August 1917), Brg. Gen. L. G. Berry (18 September 1917), Maj. Gen. William M. Wright (10 December 1917), Brg. Gen. Nathaniel F. McClure (15 June 1918), Maj. Gen. Peter E. Traub (2 November 1918), Brg. Gen. Thomas B. Dugan (25 November 1918), Maj. Gen. Peter E. Traub (7 December 1918), Brg. Gen. Thomas B. Dugan (27 December 1918)
Returned to U.S. and inactivated: April 1919.

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 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.