Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a fantastic condition genuine Great War hand painted camouflage helmet, with a complete original liner and chinstrap. The helmet features textured original period colored panel camouflage paint in a multitude of colors, including white, blue, red, burgundy, and purple, with black borders between the panels. This is a scheme we have not seem before, and research indicates that it was used by A.E.F. "Advance Sector" soldiers on their helmets. We have found several examples with this same paint pattern, in addition to the "Advance Sector" SSI, which usually would only be worn on the uniform.

The paint shows only light wear, and has a great look and the colors are still easily discernible, with a lovely patina. The interior of the helmet has all the original paint, with almost no paint loss or corrosion. The liner is in very good shape, with intact oilcloth and netting, as well as an intact felt top pad and a complete original label. The chinstrap is fully present with no repairs, and has the name H FELSENBERG written faintly on the outer side. There are also the original maker and depot markings on the underside of the oil cloth sweatband. This is really a great liner.

The underside of the rim is stamped ZA 195, indicating that the shell is a U.S. manufactured shell, and not British. The solid rivet attaching the chin-strap bale further confirm this.

A wonderful totally original helmet with genuine original paint from the "Advance Sector"! Ready to display!

AEF supplies destined for the Doughboys at the front were funneled through a series of depots and installations located at key points along the 'Lines of Communication' (LOC). The LOC was divided into the 'Base Sector', the 'Intermediate Sector' and the 'Advance Sector'. The journey began at the large base depots established in the French port cities of St. Nazarie, Le Harve, Brest, La Pallice and later Marsaeilles. There, the cargo was unloaded from the transport ships and housed in huge warehouses. Troops posted to the Base Sectors would have worn the Service of Supply or SOS shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI).

The supplies were then moved in wholesale lots from the massive base depots, up to an Intermediate Depot which was located closer to the front. The Intermediate Depot was the replenishing point for the Advanced Depots further up the line. It was also where the AEF supplies which had been shipped in bulk were broken down, sorted and repacked before being sent forward. Men working at the Intermediate Sectors world have worn the Intermediate Sector, Service of Supply SSI.

These Advance Depots which were also known as 'Regulating Stations' were always located near a main rail line. The forward depots were better equipped for the rapid movement of large amounts of equipment and supplies that were requisitioned by daily telegrams from the line units at the front. Nothing passed through the Regulating Stations without first being ordered. This included every soldier going to or returning from leave areas, schools and hospitals. It also included replacements moving up to the front (both men and animals), rations, ingoing and outgoing mail, socks, gasmasks and every other piece of fighting equipment intended for soldiers fighting at the front; with the exception of weapons and ammunition which was shipped separately by the Ordnance Department. The Advance Depots organized returning men and replacement animals by division, and resorted and repacked the requested supplies onto rail cars for daily transportation to each division's railhead. 

In many instances, Advance Sector personnel also transported Army, Corps and Division supplies further forward, up to their respective supply dumps. Army Supply Dumps were usually located 10 to 12 miles behind the lines; Corps Supply Dumps were situated some 10 to 6 miles to the rear of the fighting; while the Division Supply Dumps were the closest, at just 4 or 5 miles behind the front lines. It was at these supply dumps where the men, animals and supplies were passed over to the control of divisional Quartermaster and Supply Train personnel for delivery to the troops in the trenches.

The supplies were again broken down and resorted based on the needs of each organization within the division. Usually everything would be loaded onto motor trucks which carried the men and equipment as far as the shell ravaged roads permitted. When the trucks could go no further, the supplies were transferred to mule and horse drawn wagons and carts to continue the journey under cover of darkness. Pack mules and carrying parties often finished the task of getting the supplies up to the firing line.

The "Advance", "Intermediate" and "Base" Sectors were all separate commands within the AEF. Each of which encompassed a specific area of geography that was located behind the "Zone of Advance". The borders of those three sectors were in a constant state of flux depending on the ebb and flow of combat at the front.

The personnel permanently posted to those sectors were generally support troops composed of Engineer, Quartermaster, Medical, Signal Corps, Military Police, Motor Transport, Ordnance and other personnel. Collectively, these troops composed the personnel of each respective sector and wore the appropriate shoulder patch. However, a number of units (both large & small) within the various sectors adopted an unofficial shoulder insignia that was unique to their particular organization, and wore that instead of the shoulder insignia that had been prescribed by the AEF.

More on the M1917 Helmet:

The M1917 was the US Army's first modern combat helmet, used from 1917 and during the 1920s, before being replaced by the M1917A1. The M1917A1 helmet was an updated version of the M1917 and initially used refurbished WW1 shells.

The M1917 is a near identical version of the British Mk.I steel helmet, and it is important to note that when the US joined the Great War in 1917 they were initially issued with a supply of around 400,000 British made Mk.Is, before production began state side. The M1917 differed slightly in its lining detail, and exhibited US manufacture markings.

M1917 helmet liners typically show a paper label at the crown and the dome rivet head. The liner is set up as on the British versions, with an oilcloth band and net configuration, attached to a leather strap, riveted to the shell. The chinstrap is leather with steel buckle.