The Liberty Bell Model 18 Helmet

Absolute grail of a helmet and an incredible piece from the experimental era of American helmets during World War 1. The Model 18 or "Liberty Bell Helmet" only had 1000-2000 models produced in France. Ultimately, this helmet was turned down due to the dislike of U.S. troops given to them. The U.S. went with the famous Brodie helmet instead, and the Liberty Bell helmet was never adopted, like every other experimental U.S. helmet of the time.

These had a couple of different liner variants, with this particular example having a Brodie-style helmet.

Pictured in American & German Helmets & Body Armor of World War One by Bashford Dean (Another armor innovator of the time), this helmet was designed by Major James E. McNary, a U.S. Army officer, during World War 1

Quite a few interesting models were created & pitched during and around the First World War; interesting what could've been the standard-issue U.S. helmet at the time.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/84252588/james-eugene-mcnary

Blog written by: Jack Wade