This is an American made Model 1917 helmet that has been painted in a camouflage pattern and personalized. Many of these helmets were painted in the months after the Armistice of November 11, 1918.

The body of the helmet has irregular shapes done in brown, dark green, light green, reddish brown and gold. Each shape is divided by a thick black line. Each of the shapes lists a country or province the soldier was in during the war. Those listed include:

England

Germany

Muse-Argonne

Marne

Brest

Vesle

Alsace-Lorraine

Painted across the top is “1917-’18 WORLDS WAR.” The front panel has “N (or H) M SHERMAN CO.H  59TH INF. 4TH DIV. U.S.A.” There are also two overseas chevrons on the front and two on the back. The paint is in excellent shape with only 3 or 4 minor chips.

The interior of the helmet is missing its liner and has been painted silver. Both chinstrap keepers have been cut. Sometimes these helmets were used as lampshades on trench art lamps. Since the silver paint on the interior of this helmet would increase the power of a light bulb that may have been the case with this helmet.

The 4th Infantry Division took part in the St. Mihiel and the Muse-Argonne Offensives. From 12 September to 11 November 1918 the division suffered 2,611 men killed in action and another 9,895 wounded. They captured 2,756 prisoners, 44 field pieces and advanced 15 miles in the face of enemy fire. They lost only 70 men captured.

This a very nice piece of soldier art from The Great War which is poised to celebrate its hundredth anniversary this August.