ArchangelDM Posted September 29, 2021 Share #1 Posted September 29, 2021 Today I had some time to finally post a helmet I’ve had for a while and one I personally think has the cool factor. The helmet is an extremely early FB having a stamp of 19C, also there is a 1st pattern Hawley with the name CRAVEN written in pencil. What’s so cool about this one is the Camouflage that’s been added, it’s got a pacific green base then a sloppy Thick black paint that’s had sand added to it !! Then some brown for good measure, unless that’s actual dirt. Looking Under a 1000-x magnification we can start to see the different color flecks of sand that’s mixed in with the paint, along with the thick bristles of the brush that’s been used to apply. There is even some bristles still stuck in the paint. The helmet features 4-5 stress fractures in the back as was normal for these early helmets when worn a lot, and along the folding steel lip you can see a white build up where the salt sea air has embedded its self in to the metal. Back to the liner the rayon has turned a brown and the leather is long gone on both the chinstrap and the headband. The silver rayon apparently kept its colour quite well, so I’m guessing the sweat in the humid pacific islands had turned it the color it is. Below are the Macro shots including several shots of the 27th infantry in Saipan showing this exact camo scheme, the green and black, one photo also showing a nearly exact pattern. Equally this could be a Marine Corps helmet used early on, unless we get a hit on the name we will never know. If anyone gets any hits on the name Craven or Kraven please let me know Enjoy - Dean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elh1311 Posted September 29, 2021 Share #2 Posted September 29, 2021 Beautiful helmet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugme Posted September 29, 2021 Share #3 Posted September 29, 2021 I like the look on this helmet. Very similar to what the Brits did to their helmets in North Africa. They splashed tan paint on their lids and sprinkled sand on them while the paint was still wet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchangelDM Posted September 29, 2021 Author Share #4 Posted September 29, 2021 Just now, Bugme said: I like the look on this helmet. Very similar to what the Brits did to their helmets in North Africa. They splashed tan paint on their lids and sprinkled sand on them while the paint was still wet. I agree Scott, the sand adds great texture to the paint and helps to blend the helmet into its environment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivydiv Posted September 29, 2021 Share #5 Posted September 29, 2021 Great helmet. Thanks for sharing. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6th.MG.BN Posted September 29, 2021 Share #6 Posted September 29, 2021 Dean, Nice looking helmet! Here is a thread that mentions the 27ID wearing this style camo helmet. https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/181939-camouflage-helmets/ I posted a camo liner in that thread that would feel at home in your lid. Looks like the same green base and black, minus the sand. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchfoot Posted September 29, 2021 Share #7 Posted September 29, 2021 Units under the 7th Infantry Division in the PTO also extensively wore this style of black+green camouflage on Leyte, along with other units participating in that battle as well. Great piece Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchangelDM Posted September 29, 2021 Author Share #8 Posted September 29, 2021 1 hour ago, 6th.MG.BN said: Dean, Nice looking helmet! Here is a thread that mentions the 27ID wearing this style camo helmet. https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/181939-camouflage-helmets/ I posted a camo liner in that thread that would feel at home in your lid. Looks like the same green base and black, minus the sand. Ken 1 hour ago, trenchfoot said: Units under the 7th Infantry Division in the PTO also extensively wore this style of black+green camouflage on Leyte, along with other units participating in that battle as well. Great piece 1 hour ago, Ivydiv said: Great helmet. Thanks for sharing. Dave Thanks Dave, Ken and Russ for the kind comments on the helmet. - Dean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsbody Posted September 29, 2021 Share #9 Posted September 29, 2021 Great looking helmet! Odd looking nape strap 😊. It looks like it has been made from a piece of a rayon headband with part of the leather still attached. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchangelDM Posted September 29, 2021 Author Share #10 Posted September 29, 2021 2 minutes ago, Dogsbody said: Great looking helmet! Odd looking nape strap 😊. It looks like it has been made from a piece of a rayon headband with part of the leather still attached. Thanks DB Just noticed that - let me get some closer shots up of it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave T Posted September 29, 2021 Share #11 Posted September 29, 2021 3 hours ago, ArchangelDM said: Today I had some time to finally post a helmet I’ve had for a while and one I personally think has the cool factor. The helmet is an extremely early FB having a stamp of 19C, also there is a 1st pattern Hawley with the name CRAVEN written in pencil. What’s so cool about this one is the Camouflage that’s been added, it’s got a pacific green base then a sloppy Thick black paint that’s had sand added to it !! Then some brown for good measure, unless that’s actual dirt. Looking Under a 1000-x magnification we can start to see the different color flecks of sand that’s mixed in with the paint, along with the thick bristles of the brush that’s been used to apply. There is even some bristles still stuck in the paint. The helmet features 4-5 stress fractures in the back as was normal for these early helmets when worn a lot, and along the folding steel lip you can see a white build up where the salt sea air has embedded its self in to the metal. Back to the liner the rayon has turned a brown and the leather is long gone on both the chinstrap and the headband. The silver rayon apparently kept its colour quite well, so I’m guessing the sweat in the humid pacific islands had turned it the color it is. Below are the Macro shots including several shots of the 27th infantry in Saipan showing this exact camo scheme, the green and black, one photo also showing a nearly exact pattern. Equally this could be a Marine Corps helmet used early on, unless we get a hit on the name we will never know. If anyone gets any hits on the name Craven or Kraven please let me know Enjoy - Dean Now thats a really nice camo M1 😳 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchangelDM Posted September 29, 2021 Author Share #12 Posted September 29, 2021 49 minutes ago, Dogsbody said: Great looking helmet! Odd looking nape strap 😊. It looks like it has been made from a piece of a rayon headband with part of the leather still attached. here is the nape, both sides had leather on them and the snaps are United Carr so all correct. Never ever seen this before unless it’s a section of a sweat band that they have used ? Either way it’s cool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchangelDM Posted September 29, 2021 Author Share #13 Posted September 29, 2021 33 minutes ago, Dave T said: Now thats a really nice camo M1 😳 Thanks Dave T I appreciate the kind comment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikie Posted September 29, 2021 Share #14 Posted September 29, 2021 It's always great to see 27th Infantry Division items. Dad served in the 27th from 1940 through the end of the war. Mikie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitecap Posted September 29, 2021 Share #15 Posted September 29, 2021 Love it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueprint Posted September 29, 2021 Share #16 Posted September 29, 2021 Great piece as always Dean! I envy you a lot on this! Thanks for sharing! Tried to look for some unit rosters? Maybe you get as lucky as I did! Yours Hannes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddyd00 Posted September 29, 2021 Share #17 Posted September 29, 2021 Very very cool Dean. In my mind “Camo” is a German helmet thing and I admittedly have always carried that prejudice despite being aware of and knowing all about Camo’d M1 helmets. The US troops defintely didn’t Camo their helmets En Masse though IMO as the Germans did. Which makes reading and seeing ones like this even more special. For the simple Fact there are fewer (real) ones. Great seasoned collector approach to your analysis of the helmet as always (and as you are) and what a great lid. I always learn something from your posts. Oh and your mental database and reference of period pics whatever the topic may be is impressive. Must have a nice library. Another great corner of our hobby. Well done Z Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CavalryCombatant Posted September 29, 2021 Share #18 Posted September 29, 2021 Wow, that is an awesome helmet, dean! I absolutely love the look of the Hawley with it, tops off an already incredible lid very nicely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fight Posted September 30, 2021 Share #19 Posted September 30, 2021 She's a Beaut Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchangelDM Posted September 30, 2021 Author Share #20 Posted September 30, 2021 17 hours ago, Paddyd00 said: Very very cool Dean. In my mind “Camo” is a German helmet thing and I admittedly have always carried that prejudice despite being aware of and knowing all about Camo’d M1 helmets. The US troops defintely didn’t Camo their helmets En Masse though IMO as the Germans did. Which makes reading and seeing ones like this even more special. For the simple Fact there are fewer (real) ones. Great seasoned collector approach to your analysis of the helmet as always (and as you are) and what a great lid. I always learn something from your posts. Oh and your mental database and reference of period pics whatever the topic may be is impressive. Must have a nice library. Another great corner of our hobby. Well done Z Z those are extremely kind words brother and I’m very humbled by them As always your posts and character when writing them shine though, as does your ability to collect gorgeous USN helmets and photograph them with stunning backdrops. - Dean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchangelDM Posted September 30, 2021 Author Share #21 Posted September 30, 2021 16 hours ago, CavalryCombatant said: Wow, that is an awesome helmet, dean! I absolutely love the look of the Hawley with it, tops off an already incredible lid very nicely. 12 hours ago, fight said: She's a Beaut Thankyou CC and Fight ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchangelDM Posted September 30, 2021 Author Share #22 Posted September 30, 2021 19 hours ago, mikie said: It's always great to see 27th Infantry Division items. Dad served in the 27th from 1940 through the end of the war. Mikie 19 hours ago, whitecap said: Love it Thanks Mikie and Whitecap, looking forward hopefully to showing more very soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchangelDM Posted September 30, 2021 Author Share #23 Posted September 30, 2021 Some good reference photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchangelDM Posted March 11, 2022 Author Share #24 Posted March 11, 2022 Here is a pic of a named 27th I used to own on the right with the one I currently do, paint schemes and colors are the same, I’m guessing these 2 helmets served together at one stage. The one on the right was fully named and researched Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchangelDM Posted March 11, 2022 Author Share #25 Posted March 11, 2022 Here is also a pic of a liner I now own, with the same colors present. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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