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This Great Vietnam Era Helmet Has Been Sold. Thank you! HISTORIC DIVING EQUIPMENT & SUPPLY Co.,  1972 U.S. NAVY MK V HELIUM DIVING HELMET Formerly Navy Diver's - From Seaman to Commander  Rarest of the Rare - Matching Numbers   Owned for the last 42 years by a Navy Officer, formerly an Enlisted man   TOTAL WEIGHT:      105 lbs          SERIAL NUMBER:  121     DATE: 3 - 1972   STAND NOT INCLUDED Copyright 2014 by Land And Sea Collection™, All Rights Reserved   Presented is a U.S. Navy MK V HELIOX dive helmet that was made by the Diving Equipment & Supply Co. DESCO verified the helmet with their records which show that it was made in March, 1972 and sent directly to the USS Brunswick (ATS 3) directly before her commissioning. This ship was was an Edenton-class salvage and rescue ship in the service of the United States Navy from 1972 until her decommissioning in 1996. It now comes from the Estate of a career Naval Officer who joined the service as a young man in 1966 as a seaman recruit. During the course of his 29 year career, he rose through the enlisted boatswain ranks, became a commissioned officer and went to Diving & Salvage School in Panama City, FL. He advanced in rank through first lieutenant, diving officer, navigator, and executive officer. During his Navy career, he served in surface warships, submarine rescue ships and small craft in Vietnam. He retired in 1995 as a full commander and then worked for management consultants, Booz Allen, in support of the Royal Saudi Navy. He died in 2005 at the youthful age age of 59. HELMET & MARKINGS:  Authentic 12 bolt, 4 light Diving Equipment & Supply Co. MK V Heliox helmet dated 3/1972 with serial number 121 on the maker's tag. The serial number is also stamped on the inside of the breast plate and bonnet's threaded rings.  All the brails are numbered, front or back on the obverse, and 1 through 4 on the reverse with the serial number 121 stamped on each. There are pencil notations on the back of the bonnet, "Red diamond", but wihout paint. Being a post WW II helmet, there is no inspector's stamp. CONDITION: Considering its 42 years age and use, it is in absolutely outstanding condition overall. There are few dents or abrasions other than from storage. There is no evidence this helmet has been dived and the fittings inside the bonnet are bright and shiny. We consider it "New Old Stock" (NOS). The air vents are all intact. The right side chin relief valve, spit cock handle, front door wing nut, all turn. The speaker housing is empty, but two comm wires are present.              Photo of A.N. Roberts, Jr. as a lieutenant commander (Included) FORMER OWNER'S BIOGRAPHY IN BRIEF: CMDR A.N. ROBERTS, Jr., U.S. NAVY Alvin N. Roberts, Jr. was born on September 3, 1946, in Waycross, GA. His parents were the late Alvin Roberts, Sr., and Francis Walker Roberts. He attended Waycross Center High School graduating in 1965. Commander A.N. Roberts, Jr. enlisted in the United States Navy in May 1966 as a seaman recruit.  During his enlisted service, he served as a Boatswains Mate on board USS JAMESTOWN (AG TR-3), USS MARS (AFS-1), and in small craft in Vietnam, USS NORTHAMPTON (CC-1) and USS LEAHY (CG-16). Boatswain Mate Roberts attended college at nights and through extension courses.  Upon his graduation from Florida A&M University in 1973, with a B.S. in education, Boatswain Mate Roberts continued his education at Florida Atlantic University earning a Master’s Degree in Education. In February 1975, he was commissioned an ensign and was sent to Navy Diving and Salvage School in, Panama City, FL and then to Surface Warfare Officer Basic School in Newport, RI  and Communications Officer School. He served as First Lieutenant, and Diving and Salvage officer on board USS BRUNSWICK (ATS-3) at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and did interim duty as Executive Officer on the USS TWAKONE (ATF-114). In 1979, Cmdr. Roberts graduated from Surface Warfare Department Head School, Norfolk, VA.  He completed departmental tours as Engineer Officer on boards USS TALBOT (FFG-4) and First Lieutenant on board USS CANISTEO (AO-99). Subsequent assignments included Commander Training Command United States Atlantic Fleet from 1983 to 1985, serving as Seamanship, Amphibious, Navigation, Supply Training Commands as Curriculum Manager, and Scheduler. From 1985 – 1987 he was assigned to Commander Amphibious Group Two. Cmdr. Roberts attended the United States Marine Corps Command Staff College in Quantico, Virginia and the Prospective Executive Officer School in Newport, RI. prior to reporting on board the auxiliary repair ship, USS VULCAN (AR-5). He retired in 1995 as a full commander with 29 years total enlisted and commissioned service. Commander Roberts’ awards include the Navy Commendation Medal and Gold Star, Navy Achievement Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Battle Efficiency , Ribbon, Navy Unit Citation Ribbon, National Defense Ribbon, Vietnam Campaign Medal with two stars, Vietnam Service Medal, and Meritorious Service Ribbon. After his service career, he joined the management firm of Booz Allen as an associate overseeing training related activity in support of the Royal Saudi Navy. CDR Robert's died on May 16, 2005 at the youthful age of 59.                 Three quarter views of the right side of the 1972 Heliox helmet over the left side Like all old diving gear, this is being sold for DISPLAY ONLY. It should not be dived without having passed inspection by a certified dive shop.  The place to go would be the company who made this hat, now known worldwide as DESCO. See http://www.divedesco.com/  Inside of helmet shown over bottom of breast plate     Back of 1972 helium helmet showing the cannister shown over the maker's tag     Right side of the 1972 DESCO MKV helium dive helmet shown over the left side                  BRIEF HISTORY of NAVY MK V DEEP SEA DIVING DRESS: By 1915, the Bureau of Construction and Repair had designed the MK V Diving Helmet which seemed to address many of the problems encountered in diving. This deep-sea outfit was designed for extensive, rugged diving work and provided the diver maximum physical protection and some maneuverability.   The 1915 MK V Diving Helmet had an elbow inlet with a safety valve that allowed air to enter the helmet, but not to escape back up the umbilical if the air supply were interrupted. Air was expelled from the helmet through an exhaust valve on the right side, below the port. The exhaust valve was vented toward the rear of the helmet to prevent escaping bubbles from interfering with the diver’s field of vision.   By 1916, several improvements had been made to the helmet, including a rudimentary communications system via a telephone cable and a regulating valve operated by an interior push button. The regulating valve allowed some control of the atmospheric pressure. A supplementary relief valve, known as the spitcock, was added to the left side of the helmet. A safety catch was also incorporated to keep the helmet attached to the breast plate. The exhaust valve and the communications system were improved by 1927, and the weight of the helmet was decreased to be more comfortable for the diver.   After 1927, the MK V changed very little. It remained basically the same helmet used in salvage operations of the USS S-51 and USS S-4 in the mid-1920s. With its associated deep-sea dress and umbilical, the MK V was used for all submarine rescue and salvage work undertaken in peacetime and practically all salvage work undertaken during World War II. The MK V Diving Helmet was the standard U.S. Navy diving equipment until succeeded by the MK 12 Surface-Supplied Diving helmet in February 1980, which in turn was replaced by the MK 21 in December 1993.    SHIPPING & PACKING: The cost of shipping, packing, handling, and insurance to your destination is an additional charge. We price our shipping honestly, but we expect to be reimbursed for the nominal cost of packaging materials and handling. Within the continental United States, a helmet will generally ship for $150.00 depending on destination and amount of insurance. Because of the extra weight and the need to ship in two boxes, shipping will cost $225.00.   OUR UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within five days of receipt in its original packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization by us for the return is required. Shipping charges within the continental United States are included in this offer if the error is due to our fault.    International buyers welcome, but inquire first. We have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, Republic of China, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Estonia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico, New Hebrides (Vanuatu), New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, St. Maarten, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI, Vanuatu (New Hebrides) and the Eastern Caribbean. ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer, cashier's check, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. Copyright 2014 by Land And Sea Collection™, All Rights Reserved