WW1 US AEF Steel Helmet

The WW1 US AEF Steel Helmet is an original combat helmet issued to American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. Officially designated as the M1917 helmet, it was modeled after the British Brodie helmet and provided essential protection against shrapnel and debris on the battlefield. Manufactured from a single piece of pressed steel, the helmet features a simple, bowl-shaped design with a wide brim. The interior typically includes a liner system made of cotton webbing and a padded crown, along with an adjustable chinstrap for secure fit. Most helmets display an original textured paint finish, often in olive drab to reduce glare and improve camouflage. Some were marked with unit insignia, although the majority remained unadorned. The WW1 US AEF Steel Helmet represents an important development in personal protective equipment for soldiers and is a significant artifact from the American military experience during the First World War.