The price includes a 4% credit card fee. If you pay by check, money order, or bank wire, the discounted price is $3,750 delivered within the contiguous United States.
Presented here is a classic commercial diving helmet made by the Morse Diving Equipment Company in Boston, MA. This is a 3 light (window) 12 bolt (wingnuts) model with horizontal side windows. Morse advertised this model in their catalogs as the Three-Light Sectional-Screw Helmet and as the “most widely used helmet on the market.” We have included as reference an image from the 1937 Morse catalog showing this model.
This helmet was discovered by a US Navy officer while stationed at Lajes Field on Terceira Island in 1970. While touring the nearby city of Horta, a large pile of scrap copper wire, signal booster equipment, vacuum tubes, and multiple diving helmets were spotted. The officer made an offer for two helmets, one of them being this Morse hat. (We will be offering a Siebe Gorman he found later this week) This history will be detailed on the COA that will accompany this helmet.
When the Navy officer brought this helmet home, he decided to retain the rich patina that had formed on the copper and brass over the decades. A clear coat was applied to the helmet, preserving its appearance as shown in the photos. The helmet is just as he found it 53 years ago.
The helmet, for unknown reasons, has had its ID plate removed and all traces of serial numbers. This was likely done when the helmet was removed from military service. The area where the Navy officer was stationed was famous for the submarine telegraph cable system and stations maintaining the systems. It is likely that this helmet was part of the servicing or installation of the cable system.
The helmet does have all four brails, 12 wing nuts, internal air vents, communications fitting stamped Craftsweld, air fitting elbow, non-return valve, rear-facing exhaust valve, spring-loaded safety latch, side window guards, and all the glass. The faceplate has one replacement knob. The top of the bonnet only has a few very shallow working dents. Overall, the helmet is very presentable with a great patina.
All diving helmets sold by Nation’s Attic Inc. will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. The certificate will have a unique number that will match the number on a tamperproof hologram decal placed inside the helmet. This information will be kept on permanent file at Nations Attic and help ensure the provenance of the helmet and authenticity. The display stand is no included but will be offered to the buyer at a discounted price.
The price includes a 4% credit card fee. If you pay by check, money order, or bank wire, the discounted price is $3,750 delivered within the contiguous United States.