Nice items! Question regarding WW1 US helmets with unit painted insignia... What percentage of these were painted that way before Armistice? I've heard all sorts of stories and wanted your opinion.
@barneyfyfe8313 thank you! As for your question as far as I understand less than 1% of all helmets painted were done during wartime. There are very sparse photo examples of field applied camo and there are theories that certain divisions attached to the British would use identifying insignia on their helmets but that last one isn't confirmed. All the painted helmets you'll see are either done on occupation or the boat ride home. And the ones done on occupation were only certain regiments. Hopefully this helps a little bit
@@rockinghammilitaryantiques3884 Yes!!! Very helpful. I have one that I always figured was painted in the back room of the antique shop where I bought it. Definite repaint (gloss with black demarcation lines of the camo pattern ignoring the existing interruptions of the rough finish underneath. Inside is in very good condition with expected paint, liner and chinstrap. I can send photo if you'd like.
In case you were interested I found an exception to the rule. It appears that certain machine gun battalions were ordered to paint insignia on their helmets in March 1918. So around the time they would've been preparing for combat. They were very simple though. Like a green diamond or red star
Awesome collection!
@yeetlolbruhmoment6843 thank you!
Nice collection
@@pfcwar5150 thank you!
Nice items! Question regarding WW1 US helmets with unit painted insignia...
What percentage of these were painted that way before Armistice? I've heard all sorts of stories and wanted your opinion.
@barneyfyfe8313 thank you! As for your question as far as I understand less than 1% of all helmets painted were done during wartime. There are very sparse photo examples of field applied camo and there are theories that certain divisions attached to the British would use identifying insignia on their helmets but that last one isn't confirmed. All the painted helmets you'll see are either done on occupation or the boat ride home. And the ones done on occupation were only certain regiments. Hopefully this helps a little bit
@@rockinghammilitaryantiques3884 Yes!!! Very helpful. I have one that I always figured was painted in the back room of the antique shop where I bought it. Definite repaint (gloss with black demarcation lines of the camo pattern ignoring the existing interruptions of the rough finish underneath. Inside is in very good condition with expected paint, liner and chinstrap.
I can send photo if you'd like.
@barneyfyfe8313 im glad that my answer helped a bit! And absolutely i would love to see it. My Instagram account is in my about section
@@rockinghammilitaryantiques3884 Sorry, I don't do Instagram, Facebook, etc. Thanks anyway.
In case you were interested I found an exception to the rule. It appears that certain machine gun battalions were ordered to paint insignia on their helmets in March 1918. So around the time they would've been preparing for combat. They were very simple though. Like a green diamond or red star