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M1917 Helmet with Red Stripe - Condemnded Helmet used for training


gunbarrel
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Hi Everyone,

Picked up this WWI helmet at a garage sale this weekend. The seller said that it had been found in an old barn and it was his Dad's (who had passed away). He said that his father was a Navy Corpsman in the late 50's - early 60's and he told him that it was a WWI Medic helmet recognizable by the red stripe, but he did not know for sure.

Does anyone know what the red stripe mark signifies?

Thank you!

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I though the red stripe was for condemned helmets. Helmets that did not pass the government tests for field use. They were marked red and used for training.

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Navybean is correct, the red stripe (along with the hole in the brim), meant it was rejected by the government, at the factory, because part or all of the lot of helmets it was in did not pass ballistic impact tests. These were then marked(red stripe)and sent out to stateside guard and training divisions as well as police departments. Suffice it to say, it is not a marking for a medic.

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Thank you, Gentlemen! I appreciate the info very much. It will make a great addition to my collection.

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