Mk.I Rimless "Brodie" Helmet, U.S. Army

[blinky]

While it's sunny outside and I'm busy cleaning I decided to take a couple of pictures and post them for the heck of it.
This is one I've always kind of liked: it's what I assume is called the rimless Mk.I (what is the proper designation anyway?) that was eventually re-issued to the U.S. Sixth Division during WWI. It is unfortunately missing the liner and chinstrap but the paint is very good and the shell itself is very nice. The underside of the brim is stamped D/S 30.

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As you can see the shell is painted brown with sawdust, not a color typically associated with U.S. helmet shells.

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The inside. Note that the paint color in the crown is almost a dark mustard.

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A close up of the Sixth Division isnignia, very carefully done.

I know, it should be considered a U.S. helmet but it's British roots are strong!

eric

[findabetterole]

Hello Blinky..

Nice Brodie!

Your correct about your Mk.1 Brodie having strong British roots. When they were 1st issued in late 1915, approx 140,000 were purchased by the US for issue to their troops. Yours in undoubtedly one of that 1st 140,000.

Seph

[blinky]

Hi Seph, thanks! This is the second rimless Brodie I have marked for the Sixth Division and I know of one more also marked to the 6th. I wonder if they ended up being equiped with them towards the end of the war?

eric

[findabetterole]

Eric, unfortunatelly, there is no way for us to answer your last question. Your chaps did not start the journey over to France until September of 1917, and by that time the USA was manufacturing the Mk.2 Brodie with reinforced rim. Also, due to the US standing army being just approx 175,000 at the start of America's entry into WW.1 in July of 1917, there is no telling how the original 140,000 Mk.1 Brodies were distrubuted.

I think its a point that maybe you would like to start researching into?

Seph

[blinky]

Yes, time to hunt down a history of the Sixth Division in WWI. Good excuse to page through some of my other WWI books looking for rimless Brodies

eric