Painted Helmets

[BEAST]

Chris,
Here is another one you might like. Its a 2nd Balloon Company Group.
Terry

Terry, That is just magnificent! Did the uniform and hemet come together or did you pair them for the photo? I really like seeing the helmet insignia alonside the matching uniform SSI.

[hawk3370]

Terry, That is just magnificent! Did the uniform and hemet come together or did you pair them for the photo? I really like seeing the helmet insignia alonside the matching uniform SSI.

Beast,

Yes they are a group from the same soldier. Somewhere I have a picture of the 2nd Balloon Co marching through NewPort News, VA upon their return from France in 1919. In the pic a number of men were wearing similar helmets and patches. I suspect that they did this on the boat on the way home or while waiting to ship out from Europe at the end of the war. Unfortunately this group does not belong to me but an aquaintence.

Terry

[Chris L]

Thank you for the posts guys. These are a sight to behold.

[Steven M]

Great posting gentlemen. Though jealousy is not part of my character...you all are not helping me maintain that positive trait.

[hawk3370]

Terry, That is just magnificent! Did the uniform and hemet come together or did you pair them for the photo? I really like seeing the helmet insignia alonside the matching uniform SSI.

Beast,
Not aviation related, but thought you might like this one as well. Belonged to Captain Walter Bragg Smith. I have his enlisted 1902 tunic and campaign hat from the Mexican Border campaign and his WW1 Captains tunic, helmet and medals.
Terry

[Chris L]

Very nice shell pattern! What date would you give helmets like this? I have seen several, and usually consider them done "on the boat" on the way back...but that is speculation on my part. I know guys painted their helmets while still on occupation duty, but did they do the tortoise patter while in Europe?

You dont happen to have a 32nd painted do you

[hawk3370]

Very nice shell pattern! What date would you give helmets like this? I have seen several, and usually consider them done "on the boat" on the way back...but that is speculation on my part. I know guys painted their helmets while still on occupation duty, but did they do the tortoise patter while in Europe?

You dont happen to have a 32nd painted do you

Chris,
Don't have a 32nd helmet. I don't collect helmets per say, just when they come as part of the group. I have never seen any pictures of WW1 painted helmets in the trenches. I know that most of the patches were made while enroute home or while setting around at the embarkation point awaiting your transport. I was told by one vet that the local french ladies had a business set up making patches for units as they were getting ready to come back to the states. And another vet told me that men in his unit made their own on the boat coming home. I suspect that the helmets fall into the same catagory.
Terry