Description:

AMERICAN HELMET FROM 1919 SERVICE IN RUSSIA
Excessively rare American soldier's helmet worn by a doughboy during the "Polar Bear Expedition" in Russia from September 1918 through to July 1919. This steel helmet bears a "sand" finish which a veteran of that expedition overpainted in white adding what appear to be black bear "paw prints". The top of the helmet bears the painted word: "RUSSIA" and the front has been painted with the year: "1919". Both the front and the rear of the helmet bear silhouettes of a walking polar bear. The liner of the helmet is original, though nearly detached, soiled and worn. The original chinstrap is also present, but very dry. The American North Russia Expeditionary Force, about 5,000 men, landed in Archangel as part of the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War and fought the Red Army in the surrounding region. Their aim was to prevent arms stockpiles from falling into German or Bolshevik hands, mount a rescue of the Czech Legion, and use that legion and anti-Bolsheviks to destroy the Bolshevik cause in Russia. Following the armistice in November and the icing-in of the port, American morale plummeted and the troops and press demanded the men be sent home. Probably the rarest of all World War I Allied helmets.

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August 24, 2016 10:30 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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