Gildwiller1918 Posted December 8, 2023 Posted December 8, 2023 I'm right there with you Leon on the memory! 3 Quote
Chuck K. Posted January 10, 2024 Posted January 10, 2024 I'd like to ask your help identifying and dating the components of an M1917 / M1917A1 helmet that I own. The helmet is stamped with heat lot ZA226, indicating manufacture by the Crosby Manufacturing Co. of Buffalo, NY. Is there any way to approximate the manufacturing date based on that lot number? My second question deals with what I assume is a maker's mark on the suspension. It looks like a very neat and tiny E.T.P. At first, I thought this to read E.T.R, but upon closer inspection I believe that the "R" is actually a P followed by a period. This looks too neat to have been done by a soldier. Is this a maker's stamp, and if so, can we identify the maker? 4 Quote
Gildwiller1918 Posted January 10, 2024 Posted January 10, 2024 The helmet shell was made for use in WW1, as the US ramped up production of war materials such as helmets, we used British made ones. After the war ended, we had a surplus of materials that were sold off or put into storage. These helmets were used until new ones could be made for the 1917A1 liner. As far as the lettering goes, it is my opinion they were for the user at the time. It is very common for soldiers to mark their gear. It does appear neatly done, but if you magnify the image, you can see the lines on the letter E are not consistent with say a punch or a stencil. 3 Quote
Gildwiller1918 Posted January 12, 2024 Posted January 12, 2024 Found another M1917 shell, this one is marked 217 ZD. 3 Quote
Gildwiller1918 Posted January 13, 2024 Posted January 13, 2024 By the way I used a chalk stick to highlight the letters/numbers. It wipes off easily and does not mess up the metal or finish. 3 Quote
Gildwiller1918 Posted April 28, 2024 Posted April 28, 2024 Picked up another M1917 Helmet shell, this one is marked ZE33. No texture or much of the original paint left. I have primed it for a new paint job and texturing. 3 Quote
leon21 Posted April 29, 2024 Author Posted April 29, 2024 What colour are you going to paint it. 3 Quote
Gildwiller1918 Posted April 29, 2024 Posted April 29, 2024 A vendor that I deal with has a paint that they claim is a historical match, so going to try it out and see how it looks. 3 Quote
Gildwiller1918 Posted August 17, 2024 Posted August 17, 2024 Found another M1917 shell, this one marked "XHD", no liner or chinstrap. 5 Quote
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