The price includes a 4% credit card fee. If you pay by check, money order, or bank wire, the discounted price is $15,250 delivered within the contiguous United States.
This is a rare opportunity to purchase an original US Navy Mark V diving helmet from World War 1. Not only is this a wonderful example – it is one of the very first US Navy Mark V helmets ever made in 1917!
This early US Navy Mark V helmet was on July 2nd , 1917. It is serial #28 – the 28th Mark V ever made by Schrader! The helmet has a copper body with brass hardware, all of which is present. Over the 106+ years, the helmet has developed a wonderful patina. The helmet features the original A. Schrader’s Son Inc. brass ID plate with serial # and date stamped clearly on it.
The bonnet neck ring is stamped 26, and the breastplate is 46. These numbers do not correspond to the serial number on the ID plate. The underside of the brails feature the number 42 on them with a faint stamp that says “new morse.”. The brails appear to have been with the helmet for a long time. It’s possible these brails were replaced by Morse long ago. They do not appear to be contemporary.
It is likely the helmet was in US Navy inventory during World War 1 and quite possibly during World War 2 as well. The exhaust valve is circa World War 1 with the eight-pointed exhaust wheel. We installed this exhaust valve to bring the helmet back to its original configuration. The angled bracket doesn’t line up with the holes to secure it with the screws, though When it was found, it had a WWII-era BTE exhaust. In addition, there is a World War 1 era reproducer (speaker) still present inside the bonnet. Wire can also be found inside the bonnet and leading the communication fitting. The helmet's hardware is all intact, including the brails, 12 wing nuts, four copper brail shims, window guards, window glass, internal air vents, and spitcock valve. The dumbbell safety latch is a vintage replacement; the chain and cotter pin are not present. As an added bonus, an original communications fitting cap is intact.
The helmet does have a large dent on the very top of the bonnet. Looking at the helmet from the front, it is not apparent. This dent could be taken out if so desired. For a helmet like this to have obviously been used and to have survived two World Wars and over 100 years is quite a feat!
The helmet will be accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity detailing its history. A matching serial-numbered hologram decal on the inside of the helmet from Nations Attic will be applied as well to preserve the history and authenticity of the helmet. The display stand shown in the photos is not included. The option to purchase one at a discounted price will be provided.
The price includes a 4% credit card fee. If you pay by check, money order, or bank wire, the discounted price is $15,250 delivered within the contiguous United States.