Edoguy1305 Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 I was looking through a diffrent forum online when I saw someone posted a painted M1917 YJ serial number helmet that has what looks to be white letter "N" painted inside, partially underneath the liner pad. I too have a YJ series helmet with the same exact white N or IV. The only major difference between the two marks is the location; the camo helmet has it at the back (near the heat stamp), while mine has it on the other side away from the heat stamp. Side note: I believe the orignial owner of my helmet wore it on backwards, as the 36th Division insignia is actually on the back of the helmet (near the heat stamp). Taking that into account, the symbols would both be in the wearer's back side of the helmet. Does anybody else have a YJ with this mark? Otherwise, does anyone know what it could be? My guess would maybe be a inspection marking, But obviously not every YJ helmet has this, so maybe it is something else, but im not sure what that would be. Does anybody have any ideas? This seems like to big a coincidence to not be something. The camo helmet is stamped YJ132, while mine is YJ155. Im currently trying to look into records to see if this was done at the factory. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gildwiller1918 Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 Hello Edoguy, welcome to the forum. I do have several YJ helmets, numbers; 124, 127, 135, 144, 146, 150, 151, 152, 153, 158, and 161. I checked several of mine out and I do not see any markings but have not checked them all yet. Nice helmets you posted by the way. The 36th division emblem was most likely painted on after the war, as hardly any insignia was painted on during the war, but this is common. Most troops painted their insignia on or used paper based products/decals during the occupational phase or for parades upon returning to the states. The helmet could also be worn backwards, it did not affect the performance, such as wearing a German helmet backwards. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gildwiller1918 Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 Edoguy, I went through the rest of my "YJ" stamped helmets, I did not find any with the white markings you descried. It is hard to say what they were as these helmets have been around for some time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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