Extremely salty graffitied and named Nam’ helmet. Possibly ID’d!

[Gear Fanatic]

Besides that, any idea on the tick marks?

[P-59A]

1 hour ago, Gear Fanatic said:

Besides that, any idea on the tick marks?

Honestly I can't make those out. Zoom in really tight on those.

[Gear Fanatic]

Here you go, there’s 24 in the left side on the back of the cover on the left side, and there’s 22 or 20 in the same orientation and rows on the right part of the seam. There like little upside down triangles, all pretty messy and sole are lopsided and taller or wider.

[Gear Fanatic]

38 minutes ago, P-59A said:

Honestly I can't make those out. Zoom in really tight on those.

My eyes are pretty good, I didn’t take that into consideration for others 😂

[Gear Fanatic]

I got a name!

 

my friend circled back surprisingly quickly and sent me the text below, hopefully the name is a good starting point to Id’ing the helmet👍

[P-59A]

Two rows of 4x6 on each side. They look like shapes, but I can't make them out. Grab a sheet of paper and draw each side with those eagle eyes of yours.

[The Rooster]

Gear Fan,

I hope the helmet turns out to be what you think it is.

Dont feel too bad about speculating. I have had a problem with that on helmets and some wings.

My imagination runs amok. It happens. I try not to do it any more. I did a little mild speculation on a bullet riddled M I recently picked up

and in the past ive done made a spectacle of myself over speculating , so dont knock yourself too bad.

I think most collectors fall into that from time to time.

Ive been working on not doing it myself.

Is it possible... food for thought... that there was some writing on the back of the cover

and at some point the owner decided to cover it up?

Only reason I posit the question is that to me, I see what looks like letters?

I cant make anything out..... but it looks maybe..... like something was written and covered over???

Hows that for speculation? 

Then again, it could be legit... I think this is your guy here?

 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/753598/john_louis-harjo

 

Those could be symbols representing weeks in country with a slash through the symbol

being completion of 1 week?

See im good at speculating..... lol

 

[The Rooster]

13 hours ago, Gear Fanatic said:

Understood, I’ll wait to hear more, I’ll circle back In a week or so. Thanks all 👍

I think you have a winner! Its adding up!  The story from the relatives,

and the Mans full name being the key.

Maybe at some point write it all down, everything you find out ... names etc etc

Document it.

verbal stories you've been given by his relatives etc and keep it with the helmet.

An in country worn helmet is rare and one worn by a Native American Man is

I would think even more rare.. ?

 

And please if you can, find a US liner for it!

Just for the sanctity of it

lol

 

[mikie]

I well know the excitement of an intriguing new find and jumping to conclusions. I’ve had them turn out both ways, right and wrong. I hope any new info bears you out. There is nothing like a fist-pumping “YES!!!” when it all works out. Or the terrible crash to earth when it doesn’t. There is good advice here about being cautious with making assumptions. At the same time, I admire your enthusiasm for the hobby. Good luck! 

mikie

[Gear Fanatic]

Thank you all, just because of what his aunt said doesn’t mean it’s necessarily true, she has mild dementia and is about 85. I’m surprised she tempered the full name. I am super excited about this helmet. I have no idea how I’ll research it though as I don’t have any subscriptions and the best I can usually get on my own is his time of service. Thank you all for the comments and the little nudge from imagination to reality. I will keep looking at the helmet. This being ID’d is slightly mind blowing, I haven’t had a find like this really ever. I’m the meantime though, I will need to figure out the writing in the back. I will write it down on a nice piece of paper as a diagram so everyone can see it clearly.

[Gear Fanatic]

Here is a small diagram, all of them seem solid, and it doesn’t look like they were trying to be crossed out. If they were being crossed out I would imagine (or at least what J would do) is just scribble lines across the rows.

[Gear Fanatic]

Yah, that’s what I was thinking, but wasn’t months more common? Can’t think of any time I’ve seen it week by week. I’m thinking something else not time related, maybe individual patrols he’s been on, I have no clue. This can’t go much further till I figure out his unit and all.

2 hours ago, The Rooster said:

Gear Fan,

I hope the helmet turns out to be what you think it is.

Dont feel too bad about speculating. I have had a problem with that on helmets and some wings.

My imagination runs amok. It happens. I try not to do it any more. I did a little mild speculation on a bullet riddled M I recently picked up

and in the past ive done made a spectacle of myself over speculating , so dont knock yourself too bad.

I think most collectors fall into that from time to time.

Ive been working on not doing it myself.

Is it possible... food for thought... that there was some writing on the back of the cover

and at some point the owner decided to cover it up?

Only reason I posit the question is that to me, I see what looks like letters?

I cant make anything out..... but it looks maybe..... like something was written and covered over???

Hows that for speculation? 

Then again, it could be legit... I think this is your guy here?

 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/753598/john_louis-harjo

 

Those could be symbols representing weeks in country with a slash through the symbol

being completion of 1 week?

See im good at speculating..... lol

 

 

[The Rooster]

My guess is.........

49 tick marks.... 49 weeks......

?

[Gear Fanatic]

I have a gut feeling it isn’t time related. Triangles must mean something. Why didn’t he do tally marks? Months and then crossed out, and why in groups of 24? So much speculation here. Any other thoughts on what it could be besides time?

[Gear Fanatic]

Looks like he also had a son who might have been KIA judging by how young he was, not sure though.

[Gear Fanatic]

[P-59A]

1 hour ago, The Rooster said:

My guess is.........

49 tick marks.... 49 weeks......

?

Not ticks, Arrows!!!! I have seen them on Navajo and Apache items. Gear run this past an elder for a a second opinion and thoughts.

[P-59A]

35 minutes ago, Gear Fanatic said:

What is that symbol?

[Gear Fanatic]

That’s got to be it!!!! How did I not realize that? It was in plain sight! Who do you recommend I go to? Bugme? Vintage productions?

[AxolotlHelmet]

The VA's Emblems of Belief Site states that it represents the "Native American Church of North America"

[Gear Fanatic]

1 minute ago, P-59A said:

What is that symbol?

I have no idea, I was stumped by that ad well? Maybe a special marker for Native Americans if they didn’t have a traditional religion?

[P-59A]

36 minutes ago, Gear Fanatic said:

I do not think that is a KIA head stone. Everyone who has served honorably and has been  discharged as such earns the right to a military burial. 

[P-59A]

6 minutes ago, Gear Fanatic said:

That’s got to be it!!!! How did I not realize that? It was in plain sight! Who do you recommend I go to? Bugme? Vintage productions?

I am not a native, Who were his people and ask an elder of his tribe.

[mikie]

This is turning out to be a very good thread. Lots of good detective work, and obviously some good detectives. Some good practical collecting advice , and folks helping each other out. USMF at its finest. 
mikie

[Gear Fanatic]

5 minutes ago, P-59A said:

I am not a native, Who were his people and ask an elder of his tribe.

Probably won’t need to ask an elder, I’m nearly positive he’s Muscogee, because that’s what the whole family is, but like I said in the beginning it’s kinda mixed with Navajo, I’ll ask the original source of the info.