M1917 helmet?

[B105FA]

I just recently aquired a WW1 american helmet with the heat stamping under the brim indicating "UC 308". Any chance that this was an american manufacturer? I know 'Z' is the most common because I have a few of those, but I read somewhere that the letters "X" and "Y" was also used. I find no info at all on "U". Was briefly listed on another blog that it was american also. If so, is it rare? I know the "X" is quite rare. I have seen "Y" on occasions. As for "ZA, ZC, ZD and ZJ', those are quite dominate. So can the letter "U" be more rare than the "X"? I'll include pics. Thanks.

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[ffuries]

B105FA as to rarity of the helmet that I can't answer, there is no list that shows the heat stamping linked to a specific manufacturer, but the UC marking is an American marking. Another way to tell is by the shape of the rivets, on American ones they are normally domed on both sides. Post a few pictures of your helmet, the US used them up to the early part of WWII so, looking at the liner one can tell if it's a WWI or WWII configured helmet.

The problem with the US ones there is no printed list that shows all the markings/stamps. I have one posted on this site, and continue to add to it. So I guess I need to update my list.

Hope this helps.

Known steel suppliers of the WWI British helmets:

FS = T. Firth & Sons Ltd Sept 1916 – 1918
BS = W. Beardmore & Co Ltd Jan. 1916 – 1919
HS = Hadfield Ltd Jan. 1916 – 1919
V = Vickers Ltd 1916 – 1917
MS = Miris Steel Co. Ltd 1916 – 1917
A = Edgar Allen and Co. Ltd 1916 – 1918
F = Thomas Firth and Sons 1916 – 1918
O = Samuel Osborne & Co Ltd. 1916 – 1918
B = Bury's & Co. 1916 – 1918

Known makers of the WWI British helmets:

D = James Dixon & Sons Dec. 1915
HW = Hutton & Sons Dec. 1915
HH = Harrison Bros. & Howson Ltd. Dec. 1915
M = J&J Maxfield & sons Dec. 1915
R = John Round & Sons 1916
V = W&E Viener Dec. 1915
MLS = ?
FKS = Possibly Thomas Firth & Son
M&S = Possibly Maxfield & Sons.

Known makers of the WWII British helmets:

BMB = Briggs Motor Bodies Ltd of Dagenham
F&L = Fisher & Ludlow Ltd of Birmingham
GSW DP & H = General Steel Wares Department of Pensions & Health
HELMETS LTD = Helmets Ltd of Weathhampstead
RO&Co = Rubery Owen Co Ltd of Leeds (Spelled as RO CO or RO&CO)
WD = William Dobson & Son of Birmingham
? = Patent Pulp Manufacturing Co Ltd
JSS = Joseph Sankey & Sons

Known makers of the WWII British liners:

VERO II
TTC 2
FFC II
FFL II
V.M.C II
"N" LTD II
HELMETS Ltd I (Helmets Ltd of Weathhampstead)

Known makers of the WWII Canadian helmets:

CL/C = Canadian Motor Lamp Co
AG/C = Aluminium Goods Co
GSW = General Steel Wares

Known makers of the WWII Canadian liners:

Baskstay Standard Co (Also made chinstraps)
Viceroy Manufacturing Co = C/Arrow or VMC

Known makers of WWI American helmets:

Edward G. Budd Manufacturing Co. 1,150,775 made
Sparks, Withington Co. 473,469 made
Crosby Co. 469,968 made
Bossett Corporation 116,735 made
Columbian Enameling & Stamping Co. 268,850 made
Worchester Pressed Steel Co 193,840 made
Benjamin Electric Co. 33,600 made

Known heat-stamp markings in WWI American helemts:

UC
YJ
ZA
ZB
ZC Columbian Enamaling and Stamping Company
ZD
ZF
ZH
ZJ


Mike
USAF Retired

[ffuries]

There are a slew of other countries that used the Brodie style helmet. This link has some of them listed with the markings that can be found in them. Figured with that site and my ever expanding list it would give some helmet collectors a good stepping off point to use in identifying their helmets.

Brodie Manufacturers - The Brodie Helmet and its derivatives

[B105FA]

Thanks Mike. There is a problem with the fact that the helmet is missing both the liner and straps but the rivets are not split but domed copper like. I heard that "U" is rare as well as "X" for american helmets and just wanted to make sure. I have a number of "Z" helmets also. British helmets I do not collect because those appear to be a dime a dozen. Again, thanks.

[ffuries]

I've heard the same thing B105FA about the rarity but can not find any definitive data to substantiate that claim. I wish there was more information available on the internet on the M1917 and M1917A helmets. What little information I've learned and collected has come from reading site upon site, trying to fill in the blanks in my data.

One of the reasons why my list is always being updated, plus I carry it as cheat sheet when I go looking for helmets.

[B105FA]

[B105FA]

Here is what is suppose to be "UC308" marking. I know it's a lousy pic but that's the closest I can get. Again, you have been quite of great help. Now to look out for that "X" marked helmet. Hmmm, "ZF and ZH". Those I have not seen either.

[ffuries]

If you come across any helmets with markings other than the ones I have listed would you be so kind as to foward the information to me?

[B105FA]

Sure thing, I will. I was on E-Bay earlier and found a couple helmets with "ZB" stamped on the brim. I guess you can add that also to american manufacturers.

[ffuries]

List updated with new code, wow the list is growing!

[RBruce]

It is marked ABL over 1949 over X.B over 1951 on the liner assembly. Any ideas? Value?

[ffuries]

Belgium made copy of the British Mk.II helmet, made from 1949 - 1952. ABL is Armee Belge/Belgische Leger which makes this the Army version (Based on color and the ABL stamp). Prices seem to be around the $40.00 range plus or minus, depends on how bad the person wants it!

ABL = Armee Belge/Belgische Leger (Belgium Army in French and Netherlands, the languages spoken in Belgium)
1949 = The model (First made in 1949 hence the model number)
X.B. = Xavier Buisset, Vilvoorde, the manufacturer
1951 = The year of production