This is a genuine, good condition British MkI helmet. Helmet is in untouched condition, exactly as it came to us as part of a large lot of 1917's, 1917A1's, and even some British MkI helmets.
The British MkI helmet started out as an evolution and the large scale mass produced development of the original War Office Pattern "Brodie" Helmet. The British MkI would go on to be used and manufactured by US Forces in WW1, as the M1917 helmet. It differed only slightly, namely the methods of attaching the chinstrap bales (British MkI's used split pins, American M1917's have rivets) and the seam of the rim attached to the edge of the helmet. British MkI's have rims that overlap, US M1917's have it flush. Additionally, US made M1917 helmets have a "Z" prefix on the steel lot code, British ones do not.
Lot code on the very faint, but appears to be the letters HV over top of some numbers.
Helmet appears to be complete. Chinstrap is present and is somewhat stiff. Size is marked on the chinstrap as 7 1/4. Additionally, there is some damage to the liner.
While we do not recommend wearing it, it would look great on display. Paint appears to be the original paint, and it does have some scuffs on the outside. Unfortunately there are a few rust spots on the helmet, but this could be cleaned up.