The price includes a 4% credit card fee. If you pay by check, money order, or bank wire, the discounted price is $9,250 delivered within the contiguous United States.
The Mark V diving helmet is considered an iconic piece of diving equipment, and for good reason. While the U.S. Navy ordered relatively few in the years leading up to World War II, demand surged after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Starting in late 1942, Diving Equipment and Salvage Company (DESCO) in Milwaukee, WI, was awarded a contract to make the Mark V for the US military.
This specific helmet features the original brass DESCO ID plate with a date of April 22nd, 1943, and serial number 275. This makes it only the 275th Mark V ever made by DESCO! As with many early World War 2 dated helmets, they were well used. While this example retains its original factory tinning and components, the bonnet appears to have been made by Morse. Ironically Morse was the supplier to DESCO of the initial run of Mark V bonnets. The two halves of the helmet have matching patina, indicating they have been together since the war.
The helmet features all four brails, twelve wing nuts, four copper brail shims, BTE exhaust, spitcock, window guards, glass, communications and air elbow fittings, dumbbell safety latch (no chain and cotter pin), and communications internal plug. The original air vents, exhaust chin button, and WWII reproducer speaker are intact on the inside of the helmet.
The bonnet communications cup features a US Navy inspection stamp, which proves the helmet was accepted into US Navy inventory in 1943.
The breastplate also features a green-painted diamond on it. The bonnet has red painted on the communications cup. Both of these details give excellent indication the helmet was being used by the Navy during the war. These paint marks are indicative of the Navy differentiating divers by color, i.e., “red diver” or “green diver.” It’s also a clue that the two halves did not start the war together but ended it together.
Overall, the helmet is in excellent original condition. There are a few WWII-period solder marks on the bonnet in spots, but they do not appear to be repaired due to holes. The bonnet and breastplate thread together. There is also a WWII-period knot on the breastplate.
“This helmet will be accompanied by a 3-ring binder detailing the US Navy veteran who owned this helmet for many decades!”
The display stand shown in the photos is available at a discounted price when purchasing this helmet.
The price includes a 4% credit card fee. If you pay by check, money order, or bank wire, the discounted price is $9,250 delivered within the contiguous United States.