This is a genuine, great condition US M1917 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 US M1917 started out as a American made copy of the British MkI 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 shell is ZA239.
Helmet appears to be complete. Chinstrap is present, but is rather stiff. Paper tag with wear instructions is still present as well, but has some damage.
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. There is some rust where the inside of the rim meets the helmet.
Helmet has evidence of being in storage for some decades.