Standard issue British made US Model 1917 helmet with a dark OD painted exterior and moderate sand finish. Exterior shows light wear from age, use and storage.

Interior of the shell is empty but for the two chinstrap keepers which are attached with split rivets showing it is an English made helmet.

Painted on the outside of the shell is a black Santa Fe cross which is the insignia of the US 35^th Infantry Division. The inner four quadrants of the cross were color coded to denote units within the Division. On this insignia the upper two quadrants are painted black while the lower two are green. This arrangement is for an unknown unit in the 35^th Division. A tag attached to the helmet says that the color arrangement is for the 140^th US Infantry Regiment but this is not correct. There is no doubt the insignia is original.

The US 35^th Infantry Division was made up of National Guardsman from Kansas and Missouri. They were activated for Federal Service on August 5, 1917 and were sent overseas in early May arriving at Le Havre, France on May 11, 1918. The 35^th Division took part in the Muse-Argonne Campaign as well as in Alsace and Lorraine.  They captured 781 prisoners, and lost 1,067 killed and 6,216 wounded. Within the ranks of the 35th Division was Captain Harry Truman, 33rd President of the United States, who commanded Battery D of the 129th Field Artillery Regiment. [ad]

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