Military Helmets

This is a scarce hat in any condition, finding one unissued is even more difficult!

Here is an image of the inside.

This is a scarce helmet in any condition. The Russian graffiti is exceptionally nice, with what appear to be names, unit identifications and some crude nude drawings of women. This is a close-up of the graffiti. The graffiti ensures this helmet was an Eastern Front pick-up.

Here is an image of the front.

This is an interesting painted helmet. This is a stamped maker mark number.

Here is an image of the front.

It is in very good to near excellent condition, with some minor wear apparent on the colored paint on the top. This is a view of the right, back, and left sides.

St Mihiel, Verdun, and Chateau Thierry campaigns are indicated by name. Kaiser Wilhelm is on the front and the US flag is on the top. The squadron emblem of the 96th Aero Squadron is visible on the left side.

Here is a view of the inside of the helmet

This helmet is identifiable to the original German owner and the member of the 44th Balloon Company that painted it.  There is a dedication on the side of the helmet that reads: "A little souvenir for Larry, Jr. from The Hindenburg Line near Metz".  There was only one member of the company with the first name of Lawrence, an enlisted man named Lawrence E. McQueeney. The German's name and unit are painted on the inside of the skirt as "Tannenbaum 9/68"

It is in very good to near excellent condition, with some minor wear apparent on the colored paint on the top. These are views of the right, back, left sides, the top and the inside of the helmet

Kelley Field, Camp Wise, Morrison, Va. France, Brest, Camp de Meucon (near Vannes), Camp de Souge, Jezainville (near Pont-a-Mousson, 28km south of Metz), followed by a "?". Kaiser Wilhelm is on the front over an Iron Cross and Gott Mit Uns motto.  There is a grave with a cross labeled "The former owner of this tin hat", a battlefield scene of Kaiser Wilhelm running from an artillery round pursuing him.  A stand of flags and the emblem of the 44th Balloon Company is identified on the back.  The bottom of the skirt of the right side shows a complete battlefield scene with German and AEF artillery and observer balloon.  Above that is a man running from an artillery shell winding through trenches labeled "ME". The top of the helmet has the list of movements and base camps and a detailed rendition of an artillery observer in his balloon.

This is a very detailed helmet with superlative content and identification.  This is a very rare unit helmet, there were only 135 officer and enlisted members of the company.

The artwork is of the Walt Disney character "Goofy" wearing a red fire helmet (like the one it is painted on). A double-bit ax and tree stump are nearby. He is reading a book with the name of the artist on the spine. It has some significant wear to the paint from age. The back of the helmet has the sailor's first name "DICK" painted in large black letters.

The inside is in fair to good condition, with no liner or strap.

There are patent markings from 1939, 1942, 1949 and 1961. It is maker marked McDonald Co, Los Angeles.

This is an unusual helmet.

This is a Marine Corps painted victory helmet. It is a hard shell pith helmet with sky blue paint with the names of battles and engagements during WWII from mobilization at Camp Allen, Mississipp, staging at Port Hueneme, shipping out of San Pedro, California, to invasions at Guadalcanal, Bloody Ridge, New Caledonia, Tulagi, Ilu River, Lunga River, Cape Esperance, Carney Field, Red Beach, Koli Point, Coral Sea, Matanneku River, Hollywood Canteen.

This is a scarce, authentic, and original bring-back helmet.

Here is a view of the right and the left sides. Here is a view of the inside.

There is some wear to the paint, as apparent in the images. The helmet is in near excellent condition otherwise.

This is a most unusual helmet, with very nice artwork throughout.

This is a Special Forces Vietnam Detachment painted victory helmet. It is a hard shell pith helmet with the Special Forces flash and arch on the front, the Vietcong Flag and "Ho Chi Minh Suck" legend on the back. Det ID "A-255" and three cong kills are on one side, and "PLEIME" and two cong kills are on the other.

This is a scarce, authentic, and original bring-back helmet.

Here is a view of the other side. Here is a view of the inside.

There is some wear to the paint, as apparent in the images. The helmet is in near excellent condition otherwise.

This is an unusual helmet.

This is the real deal!

These are close-up views of the 65th Precinct wreath and 1880 label and a view of the back side.

The hat body is in near excellent condition with part of the leather absent along brim edge & the sweat band liner absent as shown here.

The badge of this veteran association is mounted on the front of the helmet. It has tarnish and wear from age

The inside is in fair to good condition, with no liner or netting, and broken and dry leather strap. The felt pad is still partially present.

There are minor dents that could be easily worked out, the aluminum is thin enough that they should pop right out, if desired.

This is an unusual helmet.

The unusual applied star is shown on the front.  This is the right side showing the flat top that distinguishes this helmet.  This is the left side.

The inside has a simple pad liner and chin strap present and in generally good overall condition.

The helmet is in used condition, with moderate wear to the original paint.

The usual applied star is shown on the front.  This is the right side and the left side.

The inside has a simple three pad leather liner that was replaced soon after the end of the war which is in excellent condition. The chin strap and tie are both WWII and present and in generally good overall condition.

The helmet is in used condition, with minor to moderate wear to the original paint.

It is completely serviceable.

There are a number of sizes available from a number of manufacturer's including Wilson, Rawlings, Spaulding, Sears, and others. Sizes vary from 6-3/4 to 7-3/4. There are minor cosmetic differences from the one shown, which is representative.

Here is a view of the inside.

Here is a typical maker and size stamp.

Here is a view of the top

The unfouled EGA stencil is clear and black on BOTH sides of the cover, shown here: brown side green side.

The condition is virtually mint throughout. It is unlikely you'll encounter one in better shape. There are no stampings or marks present.

The helmet has been repainted a dark Kelly green. Additionally, the helmet straps have both been hand-stitched to the early style fixed bails with khaki thread.

The liner has brass snaps for the helmet straps. The snaps were added after WWII.

The inside is in good to very good overall condition, with stains and wear to the paint from use. All straps are khaki. There is a break in the suspension strap that needs to be repaired.

The camouflage netting is very worn and torn. It is being held in place with clear tape added to keep it from coming off completely.

This is a nice affordable helmet for a re-enactor, movie prop, set dressing, or to serve as a substitute item in a diorama until an original one can be found.

This helmet is priced at the value of the components -- which is about 30% of what an original in similar condition is worth.

This is a scarce, authentic, and original bring-back helmet.

Here are views of the right, left, and inside. The headband is dated 1972

Here is a view of the emblem.

There is some very minor wear to the paint, as apparent in the images. The helmet is in near excellent condition otherwise.

This is a scarce, authentic, and original bring-back helmet.

Here are views of the right, left, back, and inside. There is no liner present.

Here is a view of the emblem.

There is some very minor wear to the paint, as apparent in the images. The helmet is in near excellent condition otherwise.

This is a scarce, authentic, and original helmet.  There is none of the suspension other than the chin strap bales remaining on the liner. The liner is marked US 45 MII on the inside.

Here are views of the right, left, and inside, and the liner right, left, and inside.

Here is a view of the emblem on the steel shell and front of the liner.

There is some very minor wear to the paint on the steel shell, and some moderate wear to the liner, as apparent in the images. The helmet has a hard ding at the crown, but is in near excellent condition otherwise.

This is a scarce, authentic, and original helmet liner in this condition. All the webbing, drawstring, and leather chin strap are complete and intact.  There is some very minor greening on the metal attachments where they contact the leather. This could be carefully cleaned and show no traces of its existence.

Here is a view of the inside and a close-up of the maker mark.

Here is a view of the front, showing the grommet for the DI.

This is a fairly rare opportunity to acquire a WWII liner in superlative condition throughout.

There is some wear to the top layers of original paint exposing the undercoating. There is a red star stencil on the front.

Here is a view of the inside. Here is a shot of the right and the left sides.

It is nicely marked and has a near excellent liner present. There is no chin strap.

These helmets were recovered from a Latvian arsenal. Here is a view of the inside and a close-up of the maker marks. Here is a shot of the right and the left sides.

It is nicely marked and has a near excellent liner present. There is no chin strap.

This helmet was confiscated from an NVA soldier during the Vietnam was one of my bring-backs. It was confiscated from an NVA soldier during the Vietnam War by a member of the US Army Special Forces. Here is a view of the inside and a close-up of the maker marked label. Here is a close-up shot of the front showing the red star and wreath device.

It is nicely marked and has a near excellent tan cover and separate camouflage net present. There is a chin strap and full suspension.

There is some wear and deep tarnish apparent throughout.  There are some dings to the top comb. There is a separately applied Paris Sappers Pomiers De Segre Republican shield, scroll, oak leaves and laural supporters with an embattled crown surmount on the front.

Here is a view of the inside. Here is a shot of the right and the left sides.  This is a view from the top.

It has a near good leather liner present. The original chin strap is present.

It is in very good to near excellent condition overall.