June 12-13, 2019 Edged Weapon, Armor, & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/13/2019
Originally designed by John Leopold Brodie, these helmets were manufactured for British troops in WWI to protect the wearer from modern artillery weapons. In 1917 the U.S. purchased 400,000 British Mark I helmets to equip the A.E.F. (American Expeditionary Forces). This helmet is of British manufacture, but is hand painted for the A.E.F. The helmet is painted in a variety of colors including: red, green, and tan, reflecting a Fall season camouflage. The front of the helmet has an American flag shield over a red painted eagle. The back of the helmet is painted "U.S.A. A.E.F.". The bail holder is secured to the helmet via two split rivets. Complete with helmet liner. CONDITION: Helmet is in good condition, considering its age. Outer paint shows scatter areas of loss all around the helmet. Paint shows fading all around. Inside of helmet retains the majority of applied paint with small areas of light surface rust that could be easily cleaned. Liner is in excellent condition, showing only small and minor areas of loss to leather sweatband. The rubber doughnut pad is present and shows creasing and wear on one side. Leather chinstrap is present, but torn in two pieces. Overall a fine example of a hand painted Mark I helmet.