Fine Helmet Has Been Sold. Thank you!   1943 MORSE NAVY MK V DIVING HELMET MATCHING NUMBERS STUNNING PATINA  AMERICAN NAUTICAL FOLK ART STAND NOT INCLUDED Weights: Bonnet 30. 5 lbs. Breast plate 25 lbs Total 55.5 lbs Copyright 2013 by Land And Sea Collection, All Rights Reserved. Presented  is a nearly all original 1943 Morse MK V, 4 light, 12 bolt, dive helmet, which has acquired a very attractive silver blue patina with light green overtones over the years.  It is one of the best looking dive helmets we've seen and makes a dramatic appearance. It will act as a great focal point in any decor. Morse was one of the original Navy suppliers of the MK V Diving System, but their helmets were made in fewer numbers than MK V helmets from DESCO and Schrader which are much more prevalent on the market. This makes it ideal for a serious collector or someone interested in its smashing good looks. The stand is not included.    Morse records show that Tag number 870 was made in 1943, and shipped to the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The matching build numbers, 4583 appear on the two neck rings, as well as on three of the four brails. The right front brail is iron. It was obviously precision made in a foundry or metal working shop since it fits the shape and curves of the breast plate perfectly. We had planned on having a replacement made, but Morse's foundry is closed for vacation until mid-August. If someone, thinks this would improve this helmet, we will order one, but keep in mind that this is part of the helmet's history. It is unfortunate, that we don't know the story behind this anomaly.   There is no USN special anchor inspector's marks on this helmet. Morse recently told us that the Navy inspectors did not stamp all the helmets in a production order, they used a statistical sampling technique, and when the whole production lot was inspected only a few were stamped.      PROVENANCE: The helmet comes from a famous, massive and eclectic collection of nautical antiques that included fine examples of rare antique navigation instruments, a collection of French Prisoner of War models, numerous scrimshaw, log books, charts, and marine relics. They were acquired by a professor of oceanography, with a love of all things nautical, over many years, and were last located in Hawaii which was his residence at the time he passed. This helmet is estimated to have been in the collection for at least the last 30 years.   Navy No. 870 Date 2/13/43 Matching neck ring numbers 4583 CONDITION: All the glass and brails except one are original. All the wing nuts except one are original. Both the bonnet and the breast plate are a matched pair. There are a few dents and dimples, mostly on the top and back, all of which are minor and should be expected. There are some marks acquired in moving the helmet from one place to another over years. A great deal of the original tinning remains and has turned dark pewter with age. The helmet's  silver, blue with light green overtones are strikingly beautiful. All the vents are intact and original. There is no speaker. The gate that holds the dumb bell lock is a replacement as is the chain and cotter pin. It is in excellent condition overall. All moving parts operate. All the air passages inside are intact. The helmet weighs 55 pounds.   It is being offered as a display item only, and should not be used for any other purpose unless certified by a competent diving shop.   Left side Right side   HISTORY OF MORSE DIVING: In the arena of deep sea diving, there are few companies with the longevity and history of Morse Diving. The company was founded in 1837 as a Boston maker of brass ware, three years before Englishman Augustus Siebe manufactured its first closed air dive helmet. During the Civil War, the firm commenced building maritime fittings and began experimenting with early underwater hardhat designs from Siebe-Gorman and other pioneering makers. In 1864, Andrew Morse bought out his partner, introduced his sons into the business, and began to focus on creating new products for underwater salvage expeditions. In 1904, that firm became A. J. Morse and Sons, Inc., under which name it continued until 1940. Then the name Morse was re-incorporated as Morse Diving Equipment Company, Inc. Finally in 1998, the company changed owners, and became Morse Diving Inc. 3/4 side views left and right As their expertise and experience grew over the years, they developed a worldwide reputation as a major supplier of hardhat diving apparatus. Morse was the first company to make the Navy MK V helmet, starting production in 1916. During the onslaught of World War Two only Morse and then Schrader were making dive helmets for the Navy. Desco and Miller-Dunn went into production around 1942 or 1943. In total only about 7,000 MK V helmets were produced by all four companies during the war years. Bottom of breast plate  Brails with matching 4583 number  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 spit cock, 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-1920's. 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 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, must be calculated and is an additional charge. You may email us beforehand to get these costs. We price our shipping honestly, but we expect to be reimbursed for the nominal cost of packaging materials and handling. OUR UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned within five days of receipt in its original packaging if without damage. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization from us for the return is required. Shipping charges are included in this offer within the continental United States if an 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 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 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. Our prices are quoted net to seller, but credit cards may be accepted through PayPal for verified members by special arrangement. Copyright 2013 by Land And Sea Collection™, All Rights Reserved