Presented is a guaranteed authentic 12 bolt, 3 light Morse "Breast Feed" diving helmet, Serial Number 1362. The patina on this helmet is exceptional and ranges from brown to blackish green with variations all over. It is in outstanding near original condition with all moving parts functioning. The breast plate has an unusual raised double wall neck ring with an air inlet in its back that channels air to the front. 

 

Most Commercial helmets have rectangular side lights in a horizontal plane. The side lights here stand erect. A screw in front door, and a drop down lock. The helmet comes from a collection of a professional diver where it was for the last 45 years.

 

Included is the maker's "Certificate of Authenticity"

CONDITION and MARKINGS: The Morse name is on the tag and brails. The number 1362 appears on the top of each brail (strap), and on the upper and lower ring of the helmet. A telephone box is original to this helmet and sits on the front left, but the speaker is missing. The front door unscrews. The straps and a few of the butterfly nuts are more recent replacements. There is one air passage inside the neck ring which directs air to the front port. The bonnet shows considerable use with numerous small dimples over it top that add to its character.

 

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 brassware, 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. Morse was the first company to make the Navy MK V helmet, starting production in 1916.  As their expertise and experience grew over the years, they developed a worldwide reputation as a major supplier of hardhat diving apparatus.

 

 

 

The oval shaped lead name plate is soldered to the breast plate's back because a special lamp bracket is on the front. It reads:

 

MORSE

DIVING EQUIPMENT

COMPANY

BOSTON, MASS