Original Item: Only One Available. This fine extremely RARE example offered with liner and partial chinstrap has wonderful original period white paint. This is a neat example of a genuine USGI Great War helmet from a well known infantry regiment of the US army. The best feature of all is the original hand painted insignia of the American Expeditionary Force Siberia 31st Infantry Regiment known as the "Polar Bears", with the same insignia present on the Pattern 1912 Winter Service Coat. This helmet has no dings or dents and maintains approximately 85% of its original finish and texture. The inside of the helmet still retains the original green paint.

The 31st Infantry Regiment ("Polar Bears") of the United States Army was formed on 13 August 1916. The unit is rare in that it was formed and has spent most of its life on non-American soil. During the Russian Revolution, on 13 August 1918, the 31st moved from Manila's tropics to the bitter cold of Siberia as part of the American Expeditionary Force Siberia. Its mission was to prevent allied war material left on Vladivostok's docks from being looted. The 31st moved from Fort William McKinley to Manila, and there set sail for Vladivostok, Siberia, arriving on 21 August. The regiment was then broken into various detachments and used to guard the Trans-Siberian railway, as well as 130 km of a branch line leading to the Suchan mines.

For the next 2 years, the 31st and its sister, the 27th Infantry Regiment, fought off bands of Red revolutionaries and White counter-revolutionaries that were plundering the Siberian countryside and trying to gain control of the Trans-Siberian Railroad. They also dissuaded their 40,000 Japanese allies from taking control of Russian territory.

The regiment suffered its first battle casualties on 29 August 1918, in action near Ugolnaya. During the Siberian deployment, 30 soldiers of the 31st Infantry were killed and some 60 troops were wounded in action. In addition, a large number of troops lost limbs due to frostbite. During this deployment, the regiment recommended one Medal of Honor and 15 Distinguished Service Crosses. For its service in Siberia, the 31st Infantry became known as "the Polar Bear regiment", adopting a silver polar bear as its insignia.

In April 1920, the regiment returned to Fort McKinley and, in December, was moved to the Post of Manila.

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.

Matched to the helmet is a fantastic condition Pattern 1912 Winter Service coat with matching shoulder sleeve insignia as painted on the helmet. The Pattern 1912 winter service uniform was made of olive drab wool. The standing collar coat was
lined, but in all other ways matched the summer uniform. Matching wool breeches had belt loops but the adjustment belt used previously in the back, was eliminated. This example still retains the lining on the interior of the coat but not on the cuff style collar. The sleeve insignia is still present and in fantastic condition. The collar discs are the correct “US” and “31” with crossed rifles. The overall condition is quite nice and is offered without any extensive damage.

Comes more than ready for further research and display.

Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 9.5"
Shoulder to sleeve: 26”
Shoulder to shoulder: 16”
Chest width: 18.5"
Waist width: 18"
Hip width: 21.5"
Front length: 31"