WWI helmet ID?

[Flying10uk]

Thanks for that peregrinvs, I did get the same answer (1916) myself, earlier this evening, from another source but thought I'd wait before posting to give someone else a chance to come back with something.

[mrclark303]

Fascinating stuff, what a great find, worthy of further research and museum preservation.

[Flying10uk]

It would be interesting to know if there is a date stamped on the underside of the rim.

I would be cautious of paying an inflated premium to purchase a helmet that was said to be of WW1 vintage in case it wasn't.

[jjjxlr8]

Here are the only markings that I could find on the helmet:



My mother in law asked me to sell it for her so I put it up on Gunbroker if anyone needs one for their collection. I only collect firearms and accessories that go directly with them such as bayonets and scopes.

She finds some really good stuff at garage sales. Last year (or maybe two years ago?) she found this one which turned out to be a pretty rare SS helmet. I wish I had her luck!

[Flying10uk]

The marking on the British helmet could be an abbreviated date of 1931 with a prefix of "LL" but I don't know what the prefix would be for unless it was the initials of the firm who pressed the shell.

I have an almost identical SS helmet except mine has been over painted for post-war use by Norway but you can still make out the remains of the SS decal on one side and just the outline on the other. I paid about £125 Sterling for this helmet 2 or 3 years ago.

[jjjxlr8]

That particular SS helmet only has the sticker on the one side. I guess some of them were only marked on the one side.

---------- Post added at 12:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:13 AM ----------

Could it be a size? I recall the German helmet having a size stamping of some sort on it. Maybe this one is marked with the size, as well?

[henry r]

it's funny how we all read markings differently. I read it as ZL 37 struck heavily on the bottom.

[browningautorifle]

I read it as ZL 37

It needs a damp thumb run across it to bring out the number/letter.

[Flying10uk]

I see what you mean about the "Z", henry, which I didn't see until you pointed it out. Just below the "Z" I see a "L" or partial "L".

Another trick which someone told me years ago for letter/number stampings that are hard to read is to rub a chalk stick over the area lightly and then blow off the surplus dust. This was traditionally used by teachers in schools during lessons but probably isn't nowadays. I remember one slightly amusing incident when I was at school and the teacher decided that it would be an excellent idea to throw the chalk board rubber at a pupil who had been misbehaving in class. Unfortunately, for the teacher the kid had quick reactions and ducked out of the way; the board rubber went straight through the classroom window.

I believe that there are/were single and double decal SS helmets but I don't know the reason why. Perhaps one version is earlier than the other???

I think that the British helmet shells were all the same size and only the liners varied in size but I stand to be corrected on this.

[bolo]

Thanks for the all the replies, gentlemen! I posted this up on Gunboards, as well, and a member was able to provide this:

Original U.S. WWI M1917 Doughboy Helmet- 104th Infantry Regiment Yankee Division with Textured Paint ima-usa.com

I don't know if the information contained in the listing is correct or not, but at least I have a lot more information than I previously did to try to give her some details.

I believe it's correct info, it's definitely a US M1917 helmet , the British shells had split rivets for the chin strap swivel loops, yours has a solid rivet

the Insignia is also a US unit, good find