Factory stock M-1917.

Cody

1st ID. These 'painted' doughboys were decorated shortly after the war as an expression of espirit.

Cody

2nd ID, 23rd Infantry, Supply Company

2nd ID, 23rd Infantry, Machine Gun Company

2nd ID, 17th Field Artillery, HQ

2nd ID, 2nd Engineer Train

2nd ID, 6th Marines, 1st Battalion

Is this the same helmet like the one that the Brits used or is it just a similar one Cody?

2nd ID, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines

3rd ID

Another 3rd ID

Yet another 3rd ID.

26th ID

30th ID

78th ID

Another 78th ID

91st ID

Let's try the 77th ID one more time...

Same helmet. The US actually used British and American produced M-1917 steel helmets. There were some differences in liner configuration plus a slightly different shell shape as well.

Cody

Cheers a bunch Cody!

There is also a difference in rivets (The British used a spkit pin rivet) used to hold the chinstrap bales on, the paint and texture used (The British was finer), and a difference in either steel quality or manufacturing process (Not sure which...) . The latter causes a sort of ripple effect in the steel shell of British produced helmets. To clarify further what Cody said, the U.S. actually bought 400,000 Mk.1 steel helmets from the British soon after they realized the campaign hat used on the SW border wasn't going to cut it in the trenches. U.S. units were outfitted with the helmets, gas masks, and later puttees while in training in Europe.




That is a mighty fine collection you have thier Cody. I seriously envy you. I only have two. You seem to have a certain liking of the 2nd ID. Are they more common than others? I know they have seemingly a million configurations, is collecting those variations a hobby in itself for you?

Hi David,

The 2nd ID helmets are a particular favorite but also are not particularly common.

Yes, the British rivets, liners, chinstraps and paint are all slightly different from US produced helmets. The British shells are far more attractive, but, admittedly the difference in shape is minor, if non-existent, to the untrained eye.

These helmets are a side interest to the Third Reich items which is not to suggest they are less significant. A few of the presented M-1917 helmets are more valuable than a few of my Third Reich helmets.

Cody

Terrific collection Cody, thanks for posting them.

I'd imagine that 6th Marines helmet is high up there!