I know what it is !! But which country painted and wore it??

[sasnz]

Hi Everone

I purchased this doughboy a couple of years back at auction because i liked the look of it. I know a reasonable amount about ww2 but ww1 is a little blank to me. I know this is a ww1 helmet but am curious as to which country would have worn it. I am presuming that it may be french with the colours red, white, and blue around the rim but am guessing on this. Can anyone here tell me what the stars around the helmet might signify?

Regards Sasnz

 

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[Mighty AP]

Cant tell you anything about it but I love it! WOW!!!

 

[taz42o]

American and british wore that style helmet I think. French was different had a ridge on it. Red white and blue are American colors. So my guess would be american.

 

[taz42o]

Here one similar, American helmet from pattons tank 344th tank battalion . not sure if link will work. so here is pic with website name. Maybe it was a tank guy thing to paint your helmet.

 

[texan connection]

The Tank looks pretty Old school for ww 2

 

[sasnz]

The Tank looks pretty Old school for ww 2

Hi texan, no one said ww2. I know this is a ww1 helmet but want a little more help identifying who may have worn it. Cheers Sasnz

 

[sasnz]

American and british wore that style helmet I think. French was different had a ridge on it. Red white and blue are American colors. So my guess would be american.

You may be onto something. but arnt the french colours red white and blue also? I am not too sure what the french ahd in the way of helmets. Where they doughboys or another helmet of different design.

Cheers For the input. Sasnz

 

[Montana Jim]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brodie_helmet

Just some light reading...

 

[sasnz]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brodie_helmet

Just some light reading...

Thanks montana Jim. At least we know that the helmet wasnot issued to the french. If this is an amercan Helmet it is a little confusing as to why it would have a british tank on it as the Americans from what i understand only had the french renault tanks in ww1, Is any one able to share any light on this.

Cheers Sasnz

 

[Montana Jim]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brodie_helmet

Just some light reading...

Thanks montana Jim. At least we know that the helmet wasnot issued to the french. If this is an amercan Helmet it is a little confusing as to why it would have a british tank on it as the Americans from what i understand only had the french renault tanks in ww1, Is any one able to share any light on this.

Cheers Sasnz

I agree the tank painted in a British Mark IV... maybe the Mark I.

I am also pretty sure no american made tanks ever saw battle in WW I... although they were being made by then.

 

[Montana Jim]

Also... check out this recent auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/_W0QQitemZ190267999840QQcategoryZ13971QQcmdZViewItem

Scroll down for pictures...

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

german tanks in WWI were often british tanks captured and rearmed.

the camo job on the tank looks german.

trench art being what it is, certain liberties with color, content occur.

check the leather liner in that helmet. who made the leather? there will be a stamp.

 

[sasnz]

Also... check out this recent auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/_W0QQitemZ190267999840QQcategoryZ13971QQcmdZViewItem

Scroll down for pictures...

Damn didnt realise that it could go for that sort of money,lol. I might have to rethink my term investment hehe.

Cheers Sasnz

 

[taz42o]

Think that is a mark 8 tank. french u.k and u.s made

 

[taz42o]

That pic is french helmet

 

[sasnz]

Think that is a mark 8 tank. french u.k and u.s made

Hi Taz, I think this is a british mark IV tank, dosent seem like a mark 8 to me but maybe someone can confirm, here is a closer pic of the tank.

 

[sasnz]

Here is a model of one on the same angle, This tank has the camoflage netting on top. Does anyone know what the wheel at the back was for?

 

[BuffaloBob]

Here one similar, American helmet from pattons tank 344th tank battalion . not sure if link will work. so here is pic with website name. Maybe it was a tank guy thing to paint your helmet.

I believe your helmet is:
WWI Era 33rd "Prairie" Division Helmet: Excellent Original World War One Era United States Army Battle Helmet from a member of the 33rd Infantry Division, A.E.F. Most of these soldiers were from federalized Illinois National Guard units, and saw heavy action in the Somme Offensive (Serving with the Australians) and the Meuse-Argonne.
Address : <http://www.wittworldwide.com/US Uniform and Headgear.htm>

 

[BuffaloBob]

Here is a photo of WWI Tanks and crew. They are wearing the standard issue helmet. My father was a 5th Marine in WWI, a machine gunner. His shoulder patch was hand painted by himself since there was little time to procure official patches. I believe the helmets could also identified with unit colors, if the soldier had time to do it. French helmets were a different style though.

 

[sasnz]

Here is a photo of WWI Tanks and crew. They are wearing the standard issue helmet. My father was a 5th Marine in WWI, a machine gunner. His shoulder patch was hand painted by himself since there was little time to procure official patches. I believe the helmets could also identified with unit colors, if the soldier had time to do it. French helmets were a different style though.

Hi Buffalobob

I Am confident now that the helmet has not been issued to the french. I believe it to be an American helmet. The thing of interest is as the picture you have supplied the Americans to the best of my knowledge only had the french made Renault tank which your picture clearly shows. The tank on this helmet in my opinion clearly shows a mark 4 british tank. Just knida wondering what the link might be their.

Cheers Sasnz