A typical pre-centralization situation from before more professional standards and procedures were put in place.  

Thanks for the advice, I'll try running some ads for Vietnam militaria to see if there are any vets or families in my area willing to offload their old stuff. I actually know a vet who was a Huey pilot during the war, maybe I'll ask him as well. Do you have any thoughts on the helmet I just purchased? I think this will scratch my Vietnam M1 helmet "itch" until I can find an in-country steel pot.

From whom located where?

From early in the 1900's until the early 1920's, the Coast Artillery Corps was organized in separate numbered companies. World War 1 saw some of the companies becoming lettered batteries in new Coast Artillery regiments. Coast Artillery companies had their designating numbers placed below crossed cannons. Google the research done by the Coast Artillery Study Group for much more information than I can provide.

Very cool, I'll keep that in mind! I'm guessing the soldiers in this photo are marines? I read somewhere that the USMC was the branch typically receiving old surplus WWII M1's.

Pictures please. 

I couldn't agree more Kurt...   Leigh 

Interesting photo. It appears there is overspray above the patches. Was this painted over when the patches were finished? Has anyone seen evidence of this on existing helmets?  mikie

Many of the items in museums have been misidentified and mislabeled over the years. The only source before the world wide web were reference books and in some cases the books were also inaccurate. Been making corrections to misidentified items for years now...   Leigh 

Nvm I seen it in faq section