Gladiator Helmet

Click to escape. Subject to Crown copyright.

Category: Equipment

U.S. Experimental Number 8 Gladiator Style Combat Helmet, WW1.

Original and extremely scarce WWI U.S. Experimental Number 8 Gladiator Style Combat Helmet. This helmet was styled by the famous Bashford Dean and artists from New York's Metropolitan Museum's Department of Arms and Armor in conjunction with the War Department. The museum craftsmen sculpted during WWI prototype armor which resemble distinctive characteristics borrowed from the days of Knights and the Crusades. This helmet features an angled movable metal visor with eye slits to protect a soldiers face during combat. Text and pictures of this very scarce helmet can be found in Chris Arnold's fine book "STEEL POTS, THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN STEEL COMBAT HELMET", among others.




	Liner is the three pad system which was similar to the German helmets. Liner has its three original pads intact and has one of its three thin leather outer covers intact.
	Chinstrap is original to the helmet, is of the cotton web type with metal fittings, remains all intact, is not frayed, and is in excellent condition.