AUTHENTIC U.S. NAVY
MILLER-DUNN STYLE 2
DIVINHOOD DIVE HELMET
This style helmet is one of the most dramatic of all diving helmets and rarely comes on the market.
An example should be a part
of every serious hard hat dive collection.
SPECIFICATIONS:
22 1/2″ H x 11 1/2 W add 1 1/2″ for handle.
Serial Number B 33.
Helmet Weighs 26 1/2 lbs without weights. 28 pound
weights available!
Presented is a shallow water Miller-Dunn Navy Style 2 Divinhood as was used by the U.S. Navy from about 1929 until the adoption
of the ubiquitous Style 3 in the early 1940’s. It is complete in all respects except for the weights that were
fitted and is in excellent condition. This design and the Style 1 are the most unique of this maker’s helmets
and this one is the most dramatic looking. The helmet has been owned by the same family for about the past 20
years and is new to the market. It is in its state of last being dived and has dark reddish patina with some darker areas over.
Note the extended shoulders on this example. The early ones were made without them and were uncomfortable in use and therefore
not desireable. SERIAL
NUMBER:The number stamped on this helmet’s frame B 33 could possibly be short for BB 33 which was the hull number
of the USS ARKANSAS, a battleship that saw service in the Atlantic Fleet until 1946 when she was sunk as part of the Bikini
Atoll atomic test.
The Serial Number B 33 is stamped below the viewing port
BRIEF
HISTORY OF MILLER DUNN DIVING HELMETS: The Miami, FL. company was founded by William S. Dunn and William F. Miller
around 1914 with a focus on shallow water diving using helmets and simple equipment that did not require special training.
Its first helmet of consequence was the No 1 Divinhood introduced around 1914, which was quickly adopted for use in all forms
of light duty shallow water work. After 18 months in process, in August ,1916, they were issued U.S. patent 1195793
Partial side view of the Style 2 Navy Divinhood It
was followed by the Style 2 Divinhood which became the U.S. Navy’s first official shallow water diving apparatus, and
was part of the ship’s gear on many naval vessels prior to World War II. With the outbreak of WW II, the company
built the ubiquitous Style 3 to U.S. Navy specifications in large numbers taking most of their production capacity. For this
reason, very few of the Miller Dunn Navy Style 2 helmets were made and fewer yet survived. They are a much
better investment than either of the other two shallow water styles. After
the war, the need for helmets decreased dramatically due in part to the large surplus of helmets finding there way to the salvage equipment market. The business of Miller-Dunn was adversely affected and the company ceased operations sometime in
the 1960’s.
Like all used diving gear, this is being sold for DISPLAY ONLY. It should not be dived without
having passed inspection by a certified dive shop
Partial back view of the Navy Style 2 Divinhood showing long dent We believe the Style 1 because of its
light weight and flimsy design is only of historical interest. It’s successor, a decidedly
robust design with a pointed face like a ship’s bow was designated the Style 2 Divinhood. Prior to WW II it became
the U.S. Navy’s first official shallow water diving apparatus, and was part of the ships gear on many naval vessels.
Considered one of the most dramatic helmets ever made, they conjure up an image of a medieval knight in armor astride his
war horse. They are extremely rare and this is only the second one we’ve had for sale in many years. This is an important example of diving history and is of the highest quality, and from
a famous maker of diving helmets.
Inside of the Navy Style 2 Divinhood
Top of the Navy Style 2 Divinhood showing dents
The left and right sides of the Navy Style 2 Divinhood
