WW1 U.S. Liberty Bell Experimental Helmet

[wartimecollectables.com]

Nicknamed the Liberty Bell due to its shape, it was designed by Major James E. McNary and submitted to the American Helmet Committee for consideration. 1,000-2,000 helmets were manufactured in France but was so disliked by the troops that production was ended. The liners are weak and examples of this helmet are usually found without a liner. This example is excellent with the liner and chin strap intact.
Obviously the Swiss must have liked the design!

 

[Bugme]

And we came so close to this being the helmet of the WWII GI.

[6th.MG.BN]

Sure seems like that spring liner suspension would fail during combat or hard use. 

Ken

[wartimecollectables.com]

2 minutes ago, 6th.MG.BN said:

Sure seems like that spring liner suspension would fail during combat or hard use. 

Ken

Yep, often missing when you find one of these.

[aef1917]

There were only two liner styles for the Liberty Bell, and this is not one of them. 

 

There was a German 3-pad type and a four-tongue type that was the precursor to the m1917a1 liner. 

 

The Liberty Bell helmet was dropped from consideration after 1920, and documentation suggests that the four-tongue liners were stripped out by the Ordnance Department for testing in other experimental helmets.

 

It's not uncommon to see surplused Liberty Bell helmets with the style of civilian liner as in the OP, or with surplus m1917 liners set in, but not riveted at the dome.

[wartimecollectables.com]

"Several different liner types and chinstraps were used with the Liberty Bell, including a three-pad system similar to the German Model 1916, a liner that was basically a hold over from the Model 1917 and the final version consisting of an oil cloth donut-type liner supported with four springs that acted as shock absorbers."

https://www.militarytrader.com/militaria-collectibles/american-experimental-helmets-from-wwi

 

 

[aef1917]

15 minutes ago, wartimecollectables.com said:

"Several different liner types and chinstraps were used with the Liberty Bell, including a three-pad system similar to the German Model 1916, a liner that was basically a hold over from the Model 1917 and the final version consisting of an oil cloth donut-type liner supported with four springs that acted as shock absorbers."

https://www.militarytrader.com/militaria-collectibles/american-experimental-helmets-from-wwi

 

 

 

Oh sorry, I was relying on hundreds of period documents instead of collector lore.  Carry on.