AuthenticWW1, British Made, USMC Steel “Brodie” Helmet w/ EGA
When the US entered the war in Europe in 1917, they were not yet equipped with helmets. US servicemen were initially supplied with the British made Mk.I “Brodie” helmet. Eventually the US did producetheir own combat helmet, the M1917, by copying the British Mk.I. There are a few differences to note. The chinstrap swivel bales on the M17 are made of a heavier gage, riveted steel and the Mk.I was thinner steel or brass and secured by a split pin. The liners are nearly exact except that the British had a two-piece wool crown pad that sandwiched a rubber ring for added comfort (as you can see this one does in the photos here). Both shared a similar oil-cloth lining, adjustable cotton mesh suspension, leather chinstrap fastened by a stamped or cast buckle and brass split pins. All of this was attached to the helmet by a single copper river in the dome.
This example we have here is an original Mk.I with intact liner. The shell is markedHS (and steel lot number) forHadfield Ltd of Sheffield, England, made between1916 – 1919. At a later time, a United States Marine Corps EGA (eagle globe and anchor) badge was added, and the exterior was painted to possibly represent the 2nd Division.
This is an individual, one of a kind listing = There is only ONE and this is the one you will get!
