WW I U.S. Army M-1917 Doughboy Helmet

Shown is a WW I M-1917 Doughboy helmet. This helmet has the insignia of the 89th Division hand painted on either side of the helmet. The 89th Division was known as the "Rolling W" Division. This helmet has battle damage in the form of a hole in the brim caused by a piece of schrapnel. The force of the blow was enough to snap off the chinstrap and bend the chinstrap lugs. The helmet retains the original olive drab green on the interior, but the outside was painted with a sand colored paint most likely for camouflage purposes. The 89th was activated in August of 1917, and went overseas in June of 1918. The division was inactivated in May of 1919. The 89th saw action at St. Mihiel, and MeuseArgonne. It is hard to believe this helmet is nearly 100 years old.