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| Classic 1943 A. Schrader US Navy Mark V Diving Helmet - Fully Polished |
As mentioned in some previous blogs, Nation’s Attic not only
deals in vintage coin operated machines but also in vintage diving helmets and
related equipment. While it may seem a little odd that a company in Wichita,
Kansas deals in this sort of thing, there is no doubt that this stuff is super
cool and we like it!
Regarded by many to be the ultimate copper & brass
diving helmet, is the United States Navy Mark V. This type of helmet was first made in 1917 and
used clear into 1980! Even after 1980 the Mark V was still being used by
commercial divers around the world. The helmet is ultra-safe, reliable and very
durable, which explains why it was used around the world for such a long time.
Today collectors regard this helmet as the cornerstone of
any collection. I refer to the Mark V as the “gold standard” in diving helmet
collecting. I refer to it like that because the Mark V represents the peak of
design for “antique” diving helmets, it was made in relatively large numbers
and it’s simply the most interesting looking helmet ever produced!
The Mark V was made by four different companies from 1917 to
1980. For the most part the helmets looked the very same from day one until
1980. Really the only way to tell one helmet from another was the manufactures
name plate on the front breastplate of the helmet. Below we have a photo of
what each of the plates looked like on a Mark V.
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| Diving Equipment & Salvage Co US Navy Mark V Tag From 1945 |
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| Miller Dunn US Navy Mark V Tag From 1944 |
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| Morse Diving Equipment US Navy Mark V Tag From 1941 |
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| A. Schrader's & Son US Navy Mark V Tag From 1944 |
As you can see in the photos, the name plates do look
noticeably different. Over the years the makers plates would changes for
various reasons. All of these plates shown are from the World War 2 period. The
time from 1942 to 1945 is when by far the most Mark V helmets were produced.
The government had four companies making the Mark V and other types of helmets
for underwater work during the war.
Out of the four companies that made the Mark V, three of
them made the helmet before and after World War 2. Those companies were Morse
Diving Equipment, Schrader and DESCO or Diving Equipment & Salvage Company.
A smaller company in Miami, Florida named Miller Dunn made the Mark V only
during World War 2. Their name plate is generally harder to read than the
others. Miller Dunn also made a shallow water helmet for the US Navy called the
Style 3 Divinhood, which is also quite collectable today.
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| Early US Navy Mark V Helmet Made by A. Scharder in 1917 - sold by Nations Attic |
Looking at vintage diving helmets from the 18th,
19th and 20th Centuries from strictly a “cool looking”
standing point – the Mark V has them all beat. That primary factor along with
the numbers of them made, their long use with Navies around the world and
popular movies such as Men Of Honor have made this helmet an American icon and
diving history gold for people around the world. With the growing popularity of
“Steam Punk” design these helmets are more popular than ever now.
With any valuable and popular antique there will be
reproductions unfortunately. The Mark V has been reproduced for decades. The
most common reproduction is one with a name tag on the front by Morse and the
date 8-29-41 and no serial number. Tens of thousands of these “8-29-41” helmets
have been made. Below is a photo of the Morse tag for these reproduction helmets.
While these helmets are fine for display purposes they have very little antique
value and cannot be used to actually dive in!
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| Example Of A Reproduced Mark V Helmet Tag Dated 8-29-41 With Morse Name & No Serial Number |
In addition to the helmet itself, divers required quite a
bit of additional equipment to do their jobs. Of course we are always
interested in buying these helmets, but we are also looking for the old canvas
suits, diving knives, diving boots and even divers air pumps as well! Just
about anything related to or used by divers we have an interest in purchasing.
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| Photo Of World War II Era Diver With Full Mark V Diving Gear |
Please feel free to give us a call at 316-371-1828, email us
at helmets@nationsattic.com or visit our web site devoted to helmets at www.oldhelmet.com . If you are thinking about selling a helmet,
needing help with one or would like to purchase an authentic diving helmet,
please don’t hesitate to contact us!
