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 very rare, because of its tinning, 12 bolt, 4 light Morse Navy MK V diving helmet that was made in 1942 six months after
the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. Because the helmet has almost all of its original tinning it has a spectacular
appearance, and will make a great conversation piece in any decor. Morse was one of the original Navy suppliers of the MK
V Diving System, but MK V helmets from DESCO and Schrader are much more prevalent on the market which makes this helmet ideal
for the serious collector or someone interested in only the finest.
The stand is not included.
Morse records show that SN 989 was made in 1942, and shipped to the Philadelphia Navy Yard. The
matching build numbers, 4289 appear on the two neck rings, as well as on the brails. There is no USN special anchor inspector's
marks on this helmet.
PROVENANCE: This helmet was formerly owned by a professional
diver and collector of helmets, diving gear and equipment who acquired it about twenty five years ago. Nothing else is known
other than it originally saw service in the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
SN
No. 898 Date 5/13/42
Vents
and speaker housing with speaker missing
CONDITION: This bonnet is seventy one years old and has the expected dents and abrasions to
attest to its age. There is one significant dent at the top right of the crown which was made by a sharp object. But it is
in excellent condition overall and has about 95% of of its tinning remaining. Its bright silver patina has some copper undertones
most prevalent on the front around the maker's tag. It is complete in all respects except for a speaker and the brailes are
original. 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.
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
DIMENSIONS OF HELMET: 13.5” H x 14” W
WEIGHT 56.5 lbs
Copyright 2005 by Land And Sea Collection,
All Rights Reserved.
Presented is an authentic 12 bolt, 4 light Morse Navy
MK V diving helmet dated October 10, 1944 with matching numbers. It is in its natural state of last being dived and has
a dark brownish patina that was built over many years. The helmet comes from a single collection where it was for the
last fifty plus years until purchased from the estate of its former owner.
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. 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.
CONDITION and MARKINGS: This helmet
is left in essentially the condition it was used in its last dive in order to preserve its character and history. It
is being offered as a display item only, and should not be used for any other purpose unless certified by a competant diving
shop.
The number 5752 appears on the top of
each braile (strap), and on the inner and outer ring of the helmet. All the air passages inside are intact.The right
side chin relief valve has been immobilized. The spit cock is frozen. There is a communication elbow
on the back which is a modification, and a non-standard speaker in the telephone cup.
The oval shaped brass name plate has serial
number 801 and 3-10-44 stamped on. Contrary to some belief Morse used three different shaped tags during the war years made
out of both lead and brass. They were the rectangular tag made in both metals and the oval shaped made in brass. The chest
plate weighs 24.5 pounds, the helmet 32 pounds, for a total of 56.5 pounds.
All Numbers Match
All
Vents Intact
BRIEF HISTORY of NAVY MK V DEEP SEA DIVING DRESS:
By 1905, 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 1905 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
In February 1980 the MK 12 was replaced by the MK 21 in December 1993.
OUR GUARANTEE OF SATISFACTION: If not completely
satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within five days of receipt in its original condition
and packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. A prior email authorization by us for the return is required.
Unfortunately, no refund can be made for the cost of shipping, packaging and handling.
INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS WELCOME, but contact us first. We have customers in Australia,
Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Chile, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait,
Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, USVI and the
Eastern Caribbean.
ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer, cashier's check, money
order, Western Union wire transfer, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. No credit cards or
PayPal accepted on big ticket items.
Copyright 2005 by Land And Sea Collection, All Rights Reserved.
