This is a genuine, good condition US M1917A1 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.
Also known as a the "Kelly Helmet", these were adopted in the years leading up to WW2. They featured a improved suspension over the original 1917 helmets. This one is especially unusual - instead of using a WW1 American or new production shell from the 1930's, this 1917A1 was made with a British WW1 production MkI shell. Helmet shell can be denoted as British manufacture by the overlapping seam on the rim, and interestingly enough the chinstrap bales have been replaced with American made examples.
Out of our batch of M1917, M1917A1, and British MkI helmets, very very few of the M1917A1's featured British made shells.
Helmet is complete. The chinstrap is complete but there is corrosion on the keeper, and some staining/soiling throughout. Shell has the original paint, but there are scuffs and a few spots of rust on it.
The lot code is not entirely legible, but the last few digits are S120.
A rarely seen helmet, this would look great in a WW2 American helmet collection.