WWI 1st Battalion 5th Marines Painted Helmet

World War I

US Model 1917 steel helmet painted with the {Indian Head/Red Patch} symbol of the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. The Marine Corps {Eagle, Globe, and Anchor} pin has been affixed to the front of the helmet through a period correct roughly punched hole. Item features a leather chin strap, suspension, and sweat band secured with rivets. Item retains the rear seam spot welded edge. Activated on May 25, 1917, the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines fought in the climactic final battles of World War I, distinguishing themselves in the battles of Aisne, Second Battle of the Marne, Battle of St. Mihiel, and the Meuse Argonne Offensive. In particular, they spearheaded the assault on Hill 142 in the midst of the Battle of Belleau Wood, crossing a wheat field raked by German machine gun fire to reach their objectives. Afterward, the Marines continued to menace German positions, eventually pushing them out of Belleau Wood. The unit remains active to this day, and continues to honor the generation that established their fearsome reputation in 1917.

The Collection of Jonathan Liebrandt

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Good. Item shows a deep brown patina overall with some flecked oxidation. Rivets and marine corps pin are tarnished. The painted battalion logo shows some flaking with age discolorations, and much of the detail to the Indian head worn off.

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Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Mr. Tim Carey

Associate Vice President, Head of Department, Arms, Armor and Militaria

[email protected]513.666.4984

Mr. Carey joined Cowan’s, a Freeman's company, in 2021 and is a 40-year veteran of the sporting arms and outdoor recreation industry. Carey joined Cowan’s from Griffin & Howe at Hudson Farms in Andover, N.J., where he was responsible for the acquisition, appraisal, and consignment of top-tier firearms consignments from important makers such as James Purdey & Sons of London, Beretta, Caesar Guerini, B. Rizzini, Bertuzzi, Renato Telo, and Anderson Wheeler.

Mr. Tim Prince

Senior Consulting Specialist, Arms, Armor & Militaria

[email protected]312 280 1212

Tim Prince has more than 30-years of experience in the field of antique and collectible arms and is a nationally recognized expert in the area of Civil War small arms. A long-time researcher and author, Tim has been a contributing author to two major books about Civil War firearms, including The English Connection: Arms, Material and Support Furnished to the Confederate States of America by Great Britain (2014) and Confederate Shotguns and Southern Agent Marked Shotguns (2017). He was also a major contributor to the recently updated Blue Book of Antique American Firearms & Values – 2nd Edition (2019) as well as the 2010 updates to the Civil War Collector's Price Guide - 12th edition. Over the last decade Tim has authored more than 50 articles on 19th century collectible and military arms, which have been published in such varied publications as Civil War News, North-South Trader, and Military Antique Collector. Since 2016 has appeared as a featured appraiser in the field of Arms & Militaria on the popular PBS television series Antiques Roadshow. He is a member of the American Society of Arms Collectors and currently serves on the board of directors of that organization. He is also a member of and formerly served on the board of directors of the Society of American Bayonet Collectors. Tim is a life member of the Ohio Valley Military Society, the Tennessee Military Collectors Association, the Alabama Military Collectors Association, is a member of the Company of Military Historians and is a member of numerous other colleting groups and societies. He is the owner of College Hill Arsenal, a web based antique and collectible arms retail web site, specializing in the American Civil War and related military items. Tim has engaged in the business of buying, selling, researching, and appraising antique and collectible arms and associated military items for some three decades. Since 2016 he has also served as a senior Consulting Specialist in the field of Arms, Armor & Militaria for Cowan’s Auctions, a Freeman's Company.

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WWI 1st Battalion 5th Marines Painted Helmet

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