Old Hard hat or Doughboys helmet?

[Mike'smeatshop]

A young picker brought this up to the house the other day. I was told it was a Doughboys helmet but not sure. There was a Doughboys helmet in a antique shop but it was sold and gone. They thought it was a helmet from WWI. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

Looks like that iron hat Jethro Bodine had when he was trying to become a double nought spy!

 

[alfadan]

Sure looks like an M17 helmet.

 

[genog]

Interesting find....

It should have some sort of liner
If so, how does the liner attach?

I couldn't tell from the pic of the inside......

 

[BrandonV]

Brodie helmet for sure. Note how low profile it is... can't be poppin' your head out of trenches. You can still see the attachment points.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Interesting find....

It should have some sort of liner
If so, how does the liner attach?

I couldn't tell from the pic of the inside......

Two rivet holes above each ear and one in the center. I am going to clean it up and install some kind of head band.

 

[genog]

Just throwing an idea out.....
Maybe go to the next big gun show or militaria show in your area and find the Helmet Guy

Your local helmet collector would be able to ID your lid for you and probably have the right liner for it....

 

[Lesserstore]

I'm leaning towards hard hat. I'm not an expert, but on US M1917s the brims had a metal strip welded around it. On British helmets they didn't always have them. US and British helmets have a heat lot number stamped along the curve where it starts to flare out (see pic).
I would Google Brodie helmet and M1917 helmet markings there is a good deal of info on militaria forums.

 

[larry4406]

Two rivet holes above each ear and one in the center. I am going to clean it up and install some kind of head band.

I would refrain from cleaning until you prove to yourself there is no collector value.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

I'm leaning towards hard hat. I'm not an expert, but on US M1917s the brims had a metal strip welded around it. On British helmets they didn't always have them. US and British helmets have a heat lot number stamped along the curve where it starts to flare out (see pic).
I would Google Brodie helmet and M1917 helmet markings there is a good deal of info on militaria forums.

I compared the helmet with the ones with the seam around the outside. I am not convinced either. It is so pitted, but there are some numbers where you mentioned. But to hard to read. Thanks.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

After reading the National Army Musem web. I am convinced it is a Brodie helmet. The first 1 million helmets did not view a seam around the outside of the helmet.