M1917 "Doughboy" service uniform, including helmet based upon the British "Brodie" pattern, wool service tunic and matching breeches. Breeches manufactured Boston, [Massachusetts]: Torrey-Epstein Co., April 23, 1918. 

The 2nd Division, 2nd Engineer Regimental insignia, a combination of the Corps of Engineers Castle and the 2nd Infantry Division "Indianhead,” appears to both the helmet and the tunic left shoulder sleeve. The painted profile bust and star to the helmet surmount a black castle, signifying the division headquarters, while the shoulder sleeve insignia features the castle in red, denoting the First Battalion. Below the shoulder sleeve insignia are a red Discharge Chevron, indicating an honorable discharge, and a pair of gold War Service Chevrons, representing 12-17 months of service on the front lines. The right sleeve bears the insignia of an Engineer Senior Master Sergeant, a castle with a star above and a wreath below. The collar discs designate the wearer as a part of the Second Infantry Division and Company C in the Corps of Engineers.

Arriving in France in late 1917, the 2nd Division Engineers fought as vital infantry whenever the line threatened to break. They earned immortality in June 1918 at the Battle of Belleau Wood and Lucy-le-Bocage, where they dropped their shovels and fought hand-to-hand alongside the 4th Marine Brigade to halt the German spring attack. The regiment went on to see heavy, brutal combat at Soissons, the St. Mihiel offensive, the grueling heights of Blanc Mont, and the final drives of the Meuse-Argonne offensive. Following the November 11 Armistice, the 2nd Engineers marched into Germany as part of the Army of Occupation. A helmet explicitly marked to the multi-theater 2nd Division represents a choice example of WW1 collecting.

The helmet consists of a steel shell with leather, oil cloth and string liner, felt pad, and adjustable leather chinstrap. The interior is marked with the heat code "HC304" and a small painted "#2814". It retains a worn tag to the interior which legibly reads "Tighten cord and adjust / to / the head," also marked "#2814". The tunic is outfitted with 5 unusual 2-hole flat general service eagle buttons made from thermoplastics, unmarked, plus a smaller button to each of the 4 pockets. The breeches button fly is made up of a blackened brass general service button backmarked "Scovill Mfg. Co." and 3 small butterscotch-colored 4-hole flat buttons. A tag affixed to the pocket of the breeches reads "Torrey-Epstein Co. Teco / Contract 2228B Apr. 23, 1918 / Specification No 1286 / Boston Depot Q. M. C. / Inspector No. 214 / 3427". 

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.

[Militaria, World War I, WWI, Great War, AEF, American Expeditionary Forces, Corps of Engineers, Engineer Castle, Camouflage Helmet, Camo Helmet, Brodie Helmet, Model 1917, Trench Art, Steel Helmet]