manayunkman Posted June 11, 2019 Author Share #26 Posted June 11, 2019 Another view Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted June 11, 2019 Author Share #27 Posted June 11, 2019 Another Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bellumbill Posted June 11, 2019 Share #28 Posted June 11, 2019 Manay - Beautiful pickup! Thanks for posting. All the ones I have seen have been attributed to the 339th Infantry Regt. but it could be possible that members of 1st Batt. 310th Engineers may well have painted "Russia" on the helmets as well. Best, Bill K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted June 12, 2019 Author Share #29 Posted June 12, 2019 Thanks Bill. Appreciate the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodes Posted June 12, 2019 Share #30 Posted June 12, 2019 Bodes, why did some of them not want Russia painted on the helmet? Thanks Ron, I only got the helmet because it levitated and jumped into my hands. I believe mostly due to their experiences there......Per Wilson's request, American soldiers sent to Russia were only there supposedly to guard weapons/ammunition captured from storage areas.....These were munitions sent by the Allies to fight Germany, that they didn't want falling into the hands of the communists....They ended up fighting any way....Lastly, the expeditionary force sent to Russia was there for some time after the armistice was signed....Families back home petitioned the government to bring these soldiers home since the war was supposedly over.....Bodes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted June 12, 2019 Author Share #31 Posted June 12, 2019 I thought it was interesting that they got flack from both white and red Russians. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted June 12, 2019 Author Share #32 Posted June 12, 2019 I found a picture several days ago showing a member of the 339th wearing a white helmet in Russia. Now I can’t find it, does anyone know this photo? Did they have white helmets in Russia? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodes Posted June 12, 2019 Share #33 Posted June 12, 2019 I found a picture several days ago showing a member of the 339th wearing a white helmet in Russia. Now I cant find it, does anyone know this photo? Did they have white helmets in Russia? Not doughboy helmets....I believe Wilson wanted the US soldiers to wear uniforms that reflected the style worn by those in country.....US helmets/uniforms stayed behind in England.....These polar bear helmets being painted white on the trip back to America....Bodes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted June 12, 2019 Share #34 Posted June 12, 2019 Heres my Polar Bear helmet. I think Ive posted it before some time ago. Its IDd to an HQ veteran. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1canpara Posted June 13, 2019 Share #35 Posted June 13, 2019 Really nice helmet Mike, great paint job! Very cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodes Posted June 13, 2019 Share #36 Posted June 13, 2019 Really nice helmet Mike, great paint job! Very cool! Agree, very unique!....Thanks for showing it to us again, Bodes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted June 15, 2019 Author Share #37 Posted June 15, 2019 Mike, thanks for taking the time to post that primo example. It is so much more unique making me think that it’s either a personal preference or different parts of the regiment adopted their own style. Thanks again for posting it. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted June 16, 2019 Author Share #38 Posted June 16, 2019 Can anyone give me an idea of how much the helmet I posted is worth? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted June 16, 2019 Author Share #39 Posted June 16, 2019 More than 300? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charger22 Posted June 16, 2019 Share #40 Posted June 16, 2019 Mike, thanks for taking the time to post that primo example. It is so much more unique making me think that it’s either a personal preference or different parts of the regiment adopted their own style. Thanks again for posting it. Peter First awesome helmet. I passed on one several years back at the Raleigh show to pick up another item and it is one of my greatest collecting regrets. Always found the 339th Infantry and North Russia episode really interesting and was lucky enough to get a uniform from a 310th Engineer Soldier a few years back with the polar bear patch and collar disks. In terms of unit styles In Bozich's book "Detroit's Own" he says that the companies that came back aboard the USS Von Steuben (CO: A,E,G,I,L,M and Machine Gun) wore the white painted helmet with the Russia stenciled in blue and those that came back aboard the USS President Grant (CO: B,C,D,F,H,K and HQ and Supply) wore the camo painted helmets. He also noted there were two different stencil machines used aboard the Von Steuben for the Russia in blue. Most of the really stylized helmets with the polar bear and unit numbers painted on them were done after returning home at reunions and such. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted June 16, 2019 Author Share #41 Posted June 16, 2019 Great info Ken. Was that a white Russia helmet you passed on? Regardless of what it was what was the asking price? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodes Posted June 16, 2019 Share #42 Posted June 16, 2019 I Can anyone give me an idea of how much the helmet I posted is worth? I saw one sell without the liner on the internet for $900.....I think the seller was like Bay Millitaria or close....Seems they carry quite a bit of WW1 doughboy helmets, etc.....Perhaps you could contact them and seek their opinion on value.....Bodes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted June 16, 2019 Author Share #43 Posted June 16, 2019 Thank you Bodes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charger22 Posted June 16, 2019 Share #44 Posted June 16, 2019 Great info Ken. Was that a white Russia helmet you passed on? Regardless of what it was what was the asking price? No problem, If you are interested in the North Russia Polar Bear 339th stuff the "Detroit's Own Polar Bears" book is a great reference that talks about all the equipment and unit history Yes it was a white painted helmet with Russia across the top in blue. I don't think it had the full liner just the pad and part of the chinstrap left. The guy was asking $600 for it. Unfortunately at the time I had recently purchased something else and had not researched 339th/North Russia helmets enough to be comfortable knowing what an original should look like so passed. Guess that is what makes the hobby though, the thrill of the hunt and the regrets of the ones you missed out on. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthewsq Posted August 13, 2019 Share #45 Posted August 13, 2019 Cool helmet from an often ignored part of the first world war era. Interesting that they chose to write Russia on top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now