Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a British-made Mk. I M1917 "Doughboy" helmet, with original liner. The shell is maker-marked with a stamping on the underside of the rim that reads D/F 92. The split rivets and heat lot number indicate that this helmet shell was produced in Great Britain, in this case by James Dixon & Sons of Sheffield with steel milled by Thomas Firth & Sons Ltd of Sheffield. The paint is in excellent condition both inside and outside the helmet. The liner is intact, however the chin strap is roughly half-gone, so the liner is loose in the shell. The liner is in very rough condition with holes in the oilcloth and the felt padding is pretty much gone. The rubber doughnut ring is still present, however.
The best feature of this helmet is definitely the original hand painted 2nd Division - Indianhead Division emblem in the center of the shield. The Division Insignia maintains almost all of the original paint and remains bold and easy to see, though it is a bit faded due to accumulated patina and oxidation over time,, which we have left to preserve the authenticity. The black-colored shield around the star indicates that the wearer was a member of the 2nd Division Headquarters.
The liner of this example was eaten at by something, possibly mice, so it will require some cleaning, but we have left it as is to preserve the patina. The 2nd Division insignia is in gorgeous condition.
A great example of an authentic WWI "Doughboy" helmet from the 2nd Division, 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 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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