Original U.S. WWI M1917 Helmet with Liner & Chinstrap - Excellent & Unissued - Size 7 3/8

Original Item. Only One Available. Initially, the United States purchased 400,000 British Mark I helmets to equip the American Expeditionary Forces in 1917, and those units which were to integrate with French formations were provided with Adrian helmets. The first US-made copies of the Mark I were supplied before the end of 1917 and some 2,700,000 had been made by the end of the war. The M1917 differed little from the British original; different rivets were used to secure the liner, the wire loop onto which the chinstrap was fixed was thicker and the rubber "doughnut" pad was not adopted. However, the US manufacturers were able to produce a shell with better ballistic protection than the original.

This is an outstanding unissued example of an M1917 helmet, complete with the original liner and chinstrap. This shell is stamped ZC 57 indicating it was produced in the United States. The solid rivets on the chin strap bales is another method of identifying the helmet as being American made. The liner and chinstrap is complete and in great condition with minor wear present.

The original TIGHTEN CORD AND ADJUST NET TO FIT THE HEAD tag is still intact under the crown rivet, and the wool pad is still in good order. There is some wear to the underside of the brim and staining, but otherwise this is a fantastic unissued M1917 helmet.

Comes ready for display!

History of the M1917 Helmet
The M1917 was the US Army's first modern combat helmet, used from 1917 and during the 1920s, before being replaced by the M1917A1. The M1917A1 helmet was an updated version of the M1917 and initially used refurbished WW1 shells.

The M1917 is a near identical version of the British Mk.I steel helmet, and it is important to note that when the US joined the Great War in 1917 they were initially issued with a supply of around 400,000 British made Mk.Is, before production began state side. The M1917 differed slightly in its lining detail, and exhibited US manufacture markings.

M1917 helmet liners typically show a paper label at the crown and the dome rivet head. The liner is set up as on the British versions, with an oilcloth band and net configuration, attached to a leather strap, riveted to the shell. The chinstrap is leather with steel buckle.