A classic piece of American diving history is represented in this A.J. Morse & Son Inc helmet. Referred to as The Most Popular Helmet In Use in period A.J. Morse & Son (Morse) catalogs. This 3 light 12 bolt (3 windows and 12 bolts on the breastplate) diving helmet. The helmet was also made for a notable customer, which we will expand up below.

The helmets serial number is 1637. This number can be found on both the bonnet and breastplate neck rings. This serial number allows us to date the helmet to 1912, the same year the Titanic sank.

The copper body and brass hardware have a nice patina. All of the glass, window guards, air and communications fittings, exhaust valve and safety latch and are present. The helmet is missing the four brails and twelve wingnuts and one stud on the faceplate. Some of the window guard screws are twisted off or missing. Luckily all of these parts can be remade by Morse, owned by the good folks at DESCO. The top of the bonnet features typical small working dents. Inside the bonnet, the air vents are intact. The exhaust valve button is present. What appears to be the original communications telephone equipment is still inside the bonnet as well. Lastly, a pre-1908 non-return valve is still attached to the air fitting elbow.

A very unique detail of this helmet is the extra oval tag on the breastplate. This tag states; Supplied By Musens Limited Agents Montreal, Canada. We have encountered other Morse helmets from this time period with a Mussens tag. Morse apparently was a big primary supplier of diving helmets for the Canadian government, surprisingly, instead of Siebe Gorman or John Date. Regardless, knowing the first customer of any helmet is a rare treat!

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.

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. Payment via bank wire for customers outside the USA is required. A shipping quote prior to the auction can be provided by emailing your postal code.