US 88th ID helmet. USM1 helmet shell, front snap... Lot 2019

US 88th ID helmet. USM1 helmet shell, front snap fastener. Lot number illegible. Mobile bridges. One chinstrap present but badly damaged and secured by a rivet. Numerous dents on the shell. Paint and cork at 60%. Front insignia of the large model of the 88th US DI, 60%. Westinghouse high-pressure composite liner. Incomplete and badly damaged headpiece, with chips and tears. Leather chinstrap missing. Illegible nameplate on the inside of the liner. Hole on top of liner. Many coats of paint, heavily cleaned and worn. Remainder of 88th US DI insignia visible at 40%, obviously covered with silver paint and stripped. Some wear and patina. Condition II+. It appeared on August 5, 1917 in Iowa, but was sent to France too late to take part in the First World War, and was demobilized in 1919. It was recreated in 1942 for the Second World War, and has the distinction of being the first American division to be made up entirely of conscripts, after conscription was reinstated in 1940. It was also one of the first conscript divisions to be sent into combat, landing in North Africa at the end of 1943, where it continued its training. In early 1944, it was transferred to Italy, where it saw its first combat, taking part in the fight against the Gustav Line, the powerful German defensive position on the Italian peninsula. It advanced as far as Anzio at the end of May, and some of its elements were among the first American forces to enter Rome on June 4, 1944. After a period of rest, in September 1944 it was again engaged against the Gothic Line, often forced to adopt a defensive posture. In April 1945, however, it took part in the spring offensive, crossing the River Po on April 24, and capturing Verona and Vincenza on April 25 and 28. It then advanced towards Innsbrück in Austria, where it joined forces with elements of the 103rd Infantry Division from the north on May 2. According to the seller, this helmet was found at a flea market in Rome in the 80s. Condition II+. The authenticity of the helmet is not guaranteed. US 88th ID helmet. USM1 helmet shell, front snap fastener. Lot number illegible. Mobile bridges. One chinstrap present but badly damaged and secured by a rivet. Numerous dents on the shell. Paint and cork at 60%. Front insignia of the large model of the 88th US DI, 60%. Westinghouse high-pressure composite liner. Incomplete and badly damaged headpiece, with chips and tears. Leather chinstrap missing. Illegible nameplate on the inside of the liner. Hole on top of liner. Many coats of paint, heavily cleaned and worn. Remainder of 88th US DI insignia visible at 40%, obviously covered with silver paint and stripped. Some wear and patina. Condition II+. It appeared on August 5, 1917 in Iowa, but was sent to France too late to take part in WWI, and was demobilized in 1919. It was recreated in 1942 for the Second World War, and has the distinction of being the first American division to be made up entirely of conscripts, after conscription was reinstated in 1940. It was also one of the first conscript divisions to be sent into combat, landing in North Africa at the end of 1943, where it continued its training. In early 1944, it was transferred to Italy, where it saw its first combat, taking part in the fight against the Gustav Line, the powerful German defensive position on the Italian peninsula. It advanced as far as Anzio at the end of May, and some of its elements were among the first American forces to enter Rome on June 4, 1944. After a period of rest, in September 1944 it was again engaged against the Gothic Line, often forced to adopt a defensive posture. In April 1945, however, it took part in the spring offensive, crossing the River Po on April 24, and capturing Verona and Vincenza on April 25 and 28. It then advanced towards Innsbrück in Austria, where it joined forces with elements of the 103rd Infantry Division from the north on May 2. According to the seller, this helmet was found at a flea market in Rome in the 80s. Condition II+. The authenticity of the helmet is not guaranteed.