Edoguy1305 Posted December 26, 2020 Share Posted December 26, 2020 Hey there, just got this 340th FA Regiment M1917 today. Upon close inspection, there are a couple of things that I have never seen before on an M1917. The most puzzling being the maker stamp, which appears to read "OC CO." (O in OC as in zero). This marking does not seem to follow the marking system of any other manufacturers. There are no numbers, no letter prefix, and there is what is most likely the abbreviation for the word "Company" inside of the C. The only idea I have behind this is that I remember seeing a post on a forum saying that the company that would be known as ZA first used its own stamping system but was changed to meet the standard that the US government provided. Whether or not this is true is beyond me. The center rivet also appears to be different from any other M1917 I have/seen; it's smaller like a British Mk1 but it's a different shape than either one. It also doesn't seem to have ever had the little directions slip for fitting the helmet under the rivet. All of my helmets that don't have them at least have a little deteriorated piece remaining, or at least a shadow of one. I hope someone has seen this or a similar stamp before, as I like to collect the various maker stamps and I would love to know what this could mean. Thanks! Here is the helmet: f Here is the stamp: Here is a closeup of the rivet: The liner's standard inspection stamp, and what is probably an R.H. Long stamp, but it is extremley faint. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edoguy1305 Posted December 26, 2020 Author Share Posted December 26, 2020 This has been solved, thanks! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leon21 Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 Nice looking helmet Edoguy, interesting stamp mark I've not seen that before would you like to share you finding with us. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edoguy1305 Posted December 27, 2020 Author Share Posted December 27, 2020 Sure! They appear to all be early test helmets from before the ZA123 pattern of stamping was standardized. Others like this include KCco and NCco. The unusual rivet it mine is likely because the liner of the helmet was replaced while it was in service. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leon21 Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 Thanks, learnt a bit more about the M1917 helmet marks today Thanks again. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.