Original U.S. WWI 26th Yankee Division Camouflage-Painted M1917 Helmet with Battle Names & Faded Name - Full Liner & Chinstrap

Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a tremendous camouflage M1917 doughboy helmet painted for a soldier of the 26th “Yankee” Division at the end of World War I. The camouflage is well-known style with a combination of yellow, green, black, and red colors with the YD 26th Division insignia painted on the front with one chevron underneath, and A.E.F. painted on the back with four chevrons above it, for 24-29 months overseas. The paint has worn away a bit over the years, but the insignia has held up tremendously well and displays beautifully.

The shell is maker-marked with a stamping on the underside of the rim that reads ZC 60. This maker marking indicates that this is a U.S. produced shell, which is further indicated by the solid rivets used to retain the chin strap bales.

The sides of the helmet are painted with Chateau Thierry, St. Mihiel, and Verdun. Below the AEF on the back appears to be a very faded name, which we could not make out. In the yellow portions are written World’s War. This style of camouflage helmet is thought to be attributed to use by the Cootie Club, a post-war veteran’s organization. 

The interior retains the full liner and chinstrap, although the strap is heavily crazed and the liner is worn.

A fantastic Yankee Division camouflage helmet, ready for further research and display!