This helmet was made by arguably the most famous American helmet maker, the A.J. Morse & Son Company. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this company would start making diving helmets and related equipment in the 1830s. Morse would design some of the most iconic helmets ever conceived. In addition to helmets, the company would make all other related diving equipment as well as fire fighting gear. Morse helmets are known worldwide by divers. Morse would be one of the original makers of the US Navy Mark V. They would produce this helmet from 1916 till the mid-1980s for the US Navy. The company is still in business today.

This magnificent helmet was made during the 1910s. The helmet has a copper body with brass hardware, all of which is present. The helmet features the original A.J. Morse & Son Inc. brass ID plate. Morse would put the helmets serial # on both bonnet and breastplate neck rings and the four brails. This example features the matching number in all 6 locations. This serial # allows us to put a general date of manufacturer on it.

Many features of this helmet make it quite special. The first of which is the fact this helmet receives air into the back of the breastplate. Known as a “neck feed” helmet, this configuration was favored by some divers but generally most divers used the standard bonnet feed model. The primary external difference is the air fitting is located on the back of the breastplate neck area, rather than the back center of the bonnet. Internally this model does have not air vents in the bonnet, but a single air vent along the inside of the breastplate neck ring.

The standard configuration for this model of a helmet had 3 lights or windows and 12 bolts with 4 bails. During the 1910s the use of rope singles rather than try and talk with their tender topside via a crude telephone set-up was the standard – therefore there has never been communications added to this helmet, which is rare!

The helmet is in beautiful original condition and perfect for display in the home or office. The copper body retains its tinning, which would help prevent saltwater corrosion. Almost all helmets made by Morse would have a tinning applied to the copper body. Over time this tinning would wear off from use or polishing, making examples with tinning remaining a rare find. The result of the clean tinning and brass hardware gives this helmet a fantastic museum-grade appearance. The helmet is complete with all its glass, 12 wing nuts, four brails, exhaust valve, air fitting with non-return valve, window guards, internal neck ring air vent and front hose clamps. The dumbbell safety latch is missing as well as one of the thumbscrews for the front hose clamp. The helmet exhibits only a few minor working dents. There is the telltale sign of use on the breastplate where rope and a weight belt have rubbed off some of the tinning. These subtle signs of use in our opinion really make this helmet come alive!

Finding a classic A.J. Morse & Son helmet in this condition from any age is a treat – one from the 1910s is rare! The helmet has an aurora of importance while retaining the hints of use from times long ago. Being a relatively rare model of helmet in this condition makes it a true investment level piece that anyone would be proud to own.

All helmets sold & auctioned by Nation’s Attic Inc. will come with a certificate of authenticity (COA). This COA will have a serial # on it that will match the # on a tamperproof holographic decal placed on the inside of the helmet. This level of security and long term assurance of the helmets authenticity is un-matched in the industry and very important to us.

The display stand shown in the photos is not included. The option to purchase one after the auction will be provided. All helmets will be shipped in two double boxed boxes via FedEx. Worldwide shipping available. A shipping quote prior to the auction can be provided by emailing your postal code.