M1917A1 Helmet

[Harlan (Deceased)]

This is a first generation M1917A1 helmet introduced in the 1930's and used through the first year the US was involved in WWII and later replaced by the well known M1 'steel pot'.

It was the same helmet design as the WWI era M1917 with an improved leather liner and web chin straps with the same style quick release buckle as was used later with the M1 helmet introduced in late 1941.

An aluminum support frame was attached via a rivet at the top to support the new leather suspension system and chin straps. You can see the loops for the previous leather straps that used a belt style buckle used in the WWI version M1917 still in the helmet beneath the new loops attached to the aluminum frame.

Collectors sometimes call this type a 'Kelly' helmet and a 'Bataan' helmet by slang.

Others here may know more, but that's about all I know about them.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

So THAT"S the Kelly helmet. All this time I thought the 1917 helmet was. This one appears to be deeper than the early model. The head harness is almost identical to the later German head harness.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

You may be correct what they call them, Jim. I hear everything on these. I think people get confused because the shells are exactly the same as the WWI US M1917. I just call them by their military designation.

The 'A1' is just the same as the standard WWI helmet with an improved suspension and chin strap. I keep this one on a shelf next to Two WWI M1917's and sitting flat it looks identical from the top.

[browningautorifle]

Yes, it looks identical. I don't have ANY here to compare. Just my own old M1C in the barrack box. (1960s issue)

[Harlan (Deceased)]

You've got some good trading material there, Jim!

[mattgunguy]

Ok thats it, I am going to move back home to Texas. Y'all got all the good stuff. Been looking for months nows without any luck, and low and behold what does Harlan have? just what Ive been hunting. Missouri sucks, and we have a wennie for a governer. All that aside you have a fine collection and a lot of knowlage. thank you from an udner informed feller. I now know more of what to look for on my many yard sale and flea market trips. Fun even when you dont always find stuff.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

How the heck did you wind up there? My parents and all the rest of the family are from the sticks in Missouri.
All my cousins live up there now and It's nice to visit, but cow tippin for excitement gets a little old after a while.

[mattgunguy]

Folks split up, when i was still knee high to a grass hopper. That and I got the kids in the divorce, and my dead beat non child suporting ex-wife wont sign off on letting me get the heck out of here. Just try to make the best of it.Most of my family live in Denton and Natchez.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Sorry to hear all that. I hope you can get back when things settle down. I live right in the middle of the metromess now but it's only an hour or so drive to nice deer country to the west. Wild hogs have about taken over the piney woods in east Texas the past few years. Fun to bow hunt but they're getting out of hand.

We're about planning to move to Nacogdoches after the dust settles. We've had a lot of air shows out that way and I really love the area and the people.

[mattgunguy]

Nice town. Broke my foot there once. The hogs are moving in up here, but it isnt a problem yet, as we have a standing shoot on sight order. Maybe someday I'll manage to get out of here.