Name/Title
HelmetEntry/Object ID
2018.7.1Description
M1917 "doughboy" helmet, steel, blue-painted 30th "Old Hickory" Division insignia*--"O" encircling an "H" with Roman numeral XXX along center bar of H--painted on side post-war/late 1918 to 1920 (or perhaps a touch up of an original paint job) by or for a veteran, "ZG37" (perhaps skewed at stamping or worn) on interior brim with chinstrap buckle mounted to either side and felt padding in crown, American made, 5"h x 11 1/4"w x 12 1/4"d, c. 1917/World War I.
* During WWI the 30th Division shoulder patch was worn showing the logo horizontally, as this helmet does. This orientation was incorrect but was not discovered and corrected until the mid-1920s.
Insignias did not show up on helmets/patches (officially) until November 1918.
Most 30th Division markings from World War I are royal blue on a scarlet red background, However most of these "trench art" painted helmets were done by soldiers, so artwork can be cruder and colors/shades may vary due to availability of paint (or perhaps this example turned color due to sun exposure and/or people touching it or type of paint used).
Judging by the helmet's appearance, it was not reissued as the M1917A1 during 1920s-1940s, when more texture would have been added to the surface.Made/Created
Manufacturer
Unknown (USA)Notes
Date: 1917 c.Dimensions
Height
5 inWidth
11-1/4 inDepth
12-1/4 in