Acquired from family estate sale and belonged to Private First Class J.S. Gabbert, a rifleman member of the legendary American Expeditionary Force 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines who would go on to be a recipient of the Presidential Unit Citation Medal for his participation in the Battle at Tarawa, a Purple Heart , and other medals of honor for his service in WW2.
As an excellent marksman, Private First Class Gabbert took his skills to the battlefield in WW2 until he was injured and later honourably discharged. His skills with firearms would place him in the skies as a gunner providing cover to soldliers on the ground.
This fine helmet was not so much used to protect soldiers like Gabbert from physical injury, but instead faciitated pilots and crew a means for hands free radio communication. It was also constructed to dampen the deafening noise coming from both the aircraft and steady gun fire.
DETAILS:
- Helmet in excellent condition for it's age.
- Helmet exterior is made from goats skin leather that is still supple and has no rips or tears .
- Interior lined with soft sheep skin leather is also in great condition with no rips or tears
- Three external goggle straps are in great shape too and full attached to the helmet with no tear or loose ends
- Helmet has leather ear cups with snap-closure that are still operable and once held telephonic communications devices in place.
- Each ear cup, on the helmet's reverse side interior is padded with soft velvet for comfort and to reduce noise. These velvet pads were also known as "Powder Puffs" for their resemblance to those used by women for powdering their faces.
- Leather chin cup is brittle and dyed leather has faded.
- The end section of the chin cup strap had previously broken off but it's still just long enough to connect with the buckle (though surely not with an adult sized head in the helmet)
- The original NAF 1092 label, showing contract number and manufacturer name, B-G, INC, is still in place and legible.
SIZE: Not Marked
Excellent collector's item!
QUESTIONS or BEST OFFER:
Please contact me! I'll try to answer any questions you might have. And, I am open to offer!! Please feel free to make me one. :-)
All used and vintage items are sold as-is, final sale.
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WHATNOTS - 25th Street Peddler Notices
Most items sold by WHATNOTS are previously-owned and sold as-is final sale unless otherwise marked on the item's detailed listing page.
- Please thoroughly inspect supplied product photos and read product descriptions carefully before making your purchase.
- Please research the item before purchase to be sure that it functionally meets your needs and expectations.
- As a seller of primarily previously owned and vintage items and a reseller of items we do not manufacture, we make no guarantees nor warranties of item quality, function or technical specification.
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WARRANTIES / GUARANTEES
- WHATNOTS is an independent entity and is not connected to any manufacturers or makers of the merchandise we sell.
- Some products might be covered under a manufacturer's warranty-- in these instances, the warranty should be directed toward the respective manufacturer.
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