Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a very nice example of a U.S. M1917 "Doughboy" helmet, which features original period OD Green paint and a painted Unit Insignia. The shell is maker-marked with a stamping on the underside of the rim that reads YJ 154. The solid rivets and heat lot number indicate that this helmet shell was produced in the United States. The underside of the brim is painted with J.B. PROM 3. HQ. 297. This identifies the helmet to Private Joseph B. Prom, Headquarters Company, 353rd Infantry Regiment, 89th Division.

The paint is in service-worn condition both inside and outside the helmet, with the expected wear from service. The liner and chinstrap are both absent, with a small bit of the chinstrap still hanging on.

The best feature of this helmet is definitely the original hand painted 89th Division - The Rolling W emblem on both the left and right sides of the helmet. The Division Insignia maintains most of the original paint and is somewhat dirty from years of service. It is a nice black circle with a "W" inside, the central portion being painted blue indicating infantry.

Joseph Benjamin Prom was born on December 17th, 1888 in Fredonia, Wisconsin. He was inducted into the draft on May 24th, 1918 and was assigned to the 341st Infantry Regiment, 86th Division, going overseas in August 1918. The 86th Division was used as a training division, supplying replacement troops to frontline units. Prom was reassigned to the Headquarters Company, 353rd Infantry Regiment, seeing combat in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. He returned home and was discharged on June 1st, 1919. He passed away on April 15th, 1942.

A great example of an authentic WWI "Doughboy" helmet shell from the 89th Division, ready to display!

History of the 89th Division:
The 89th Division was officially activated in August 1917 under the command of Major General Leonard Wood. The division was inactivated in May 1919. The division was reconstituted in the Organized Reserve (present-day United States Army Reserve) on 24 June 1921 and assigned to the states of Nebraska, Kansas, and South Dakota. The headquarters was organized on 2 September 1921.

WWI:
- Activated: August 1917.
- Overseas: June 1918.
- Major Operations: St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne.
- Casualties: Total-7,091 (KIA-980; WIA-6,111).
- Inactivated: May 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.