Classic piece of American diving history is represented in this A.J. Morse & Son helmet. Referred to as The Most Popular Helmet In Use in the 1917 A.J. Morse & Son (Morse) catalog. This 3 light 12 bolt (3 windows and 12 bolts on the breastplate) diving helmet also was made at a very important time in Morse company history, which we will expand up below.

This helmet was made by one of those famed and iconic manufacturers of the 19th, 20th, and 21st Centuries, the A.J. Morse & Son (Morse). Located in Boston, MA when this helmet was made, Morse is still in business today making the highest quality helmets and offering repair services.

The helmets serial number is 2152. This number can be found on both the bonnet and breastplate neck rings and all four brails. It is important to note that Morse was producing the very first Mark V diving helmets for the US Navy when this helmet was made. The earliest known Mark V serial number is 2198 from August 1916, sold by Nations Attic in 2020. This information helps make the educated assumption the helmet was produced in 1916.

This helmet has the unmistakable appearance of a hat that was used many decades ago and then put away. A large percentage of the factory-applied tinning is intact. The telltale signs of leather weight belt straps rubbing on the shoulders of the breastplate provide a hint to its working history. The shallow working dents on the top of the bonnet and loss of tinning also give plenty of evidence of hard yet careful underwater work long ago.

This piece is complete with all 12 wing nuts (Mark V style), 4 serial-numbered brails, glass, window guards and brass screws, air fitting, internal air ducts, exhaust and internal chin button, and lastly safety latch. A stamped A.J. Morse & Son Inc non-return valve is also still attached to the air elbow fitting. Of note, we noticed that the breastplate was constructed in a style using a castlation soldering seam at each shoulder.

This helmet represents a classic piece of American diving history that features a look and feel that are unmistakable!

All diving helmets in this auction will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Nations Attic. The certificate will have a unique number that will match the number on a tamperproof hologram decal placed inside the helmet. This information will be kept on permanent file at Nations Attic and help ensure the provenance of the helmet and authenticity. The display stand shown in the photos is not included. The option to purchase one after the auction will be provided.

All items will be shipped with a signature required upon delivery and full insurance either via FedEx or the USPS Priority Mail. Worldwide shipping is available; however, no ocean freight will be offered on large items. DHL Express is an option for international shipments under 600 pounds via air. A shipping quote prior to the auction can be provided by emailing your postal code.