This helmet was dived by Chief Richard Sadler, USN during his
career as a Master Navy Diver. It was in his family since his death. Schrader was one of the very low volume producers
of Navy MK V’s during WW II making this helmet highly collectible
TOTAL WEIGHT 52 lbs BONNET 30.5 lbs
BREAST PLATE 21.5 lbsSTAND NOT INCLUDED
Copyright 2009 by Land And Sea Collection™, All
Rights Reserved
Presented is an outstanding U.S. Navy MK V helmet. It is an authentic 12 bolt, 4
light Schrader Navy MK V with serial number 212 B on the maker’s tag and dated 6-43. The inside
neck ring of the breast plate is marked 164. The helmet has a rustic brown patina that has been acquired over its 66 year
age. The result is a work of diving and industrial art which will add drama to any setting. There are only a few
small dents, dings and dimples over the helmet.PROVENANCE: From the Florida Estate of Richard Sadler, Chief Motor Machinist Mate,
USN- Ret who died approximately ten years ago. It has been in his son’s possession ever since. Sadler had a twenty one year
career as a Navy salvage diver before retiring in 1968. The heir remembers it being given to his dad on his retirement
by the division officer so it has been in the family for more than 40 years. The plaque shown below was issued to the
deceased on his retirement, and is not included in the sale of the helmet. A copy of the photo of Sadler shown below is included.
CONDITION and MARKINGS:
The number 212 B appears on the bottom of each brail (strap) matching the serial number on
the maker’s tag which is date stamped 6-43. The inside neck ring of the breast plate is stamped 164. The air vents
are all intact.The right side chin relief valve, spit cock handle, front door wing nut, all turn easily. Missing are the non-return
valve, telephone receiver from its housing and the cap for the communication elbow. The cotter pin for the dumb
bell lock will be replaced. The patina varies in color from dark brown to light brown and in a few places copper
is seen. The exterior telephone cup carries a the Naval Inspection stamp of “U anchor 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.
Maker’s tag
inspector’s mark
helmet
Sadler, MMC, USN
WE ALSO HAVE A 2008 DESCO HELMET FOR SALE. CLICK
https://landandseacollection.com/id468.html
SCROLL WAY DOWN TO THE GALLERY TO SEE MORE PICTURES
HISTORY OF SCHRADER DIVING: Schrader is one of the oldest names in U.S. diving, second only
to Morse. The founder, August Schrader was a creative and inventive German immigrant who originally set up a shop
dealing in rubber products in New York City, NY in 1839, only a few years after A.J. Morse set up shop in Boston.
In 1845 he began supplying fittings and valves for rubber products made by the Goodyear Brothers. Schrader was
115 John
also a maker of daguerreotype apparatus. His original shop was at
Streetin Manhattan, NY.
Shortly thereafter he went into partnership with Christian Baecher. Christian was a brass turner and finisher which provided
a foundation for what followed.
The two partners, having watched divers at work at a nearby New York Harbor jetty, decided to improve
the diving helmets in use at the time. In 1849, with the help of Baecher, he created a new copper helmet. Later his interest
in diving led to him to design an air pump.
Around 1890, August Schrader saw the need for a bicycle tire valve. By 1891, he produced the Schrader valve.
The Schrader valve was his most popular invention, and is still used today.
In 1917, the United States Bureau of Construction & Repair introduced the MK V helmet and dress, which then
became the standard for US Navy diving until the introduction of the MK 12 in the late nineteen seventies. Schrader and Morse
Diving were the two original suppliers.
During the onslaught of World War Two only Morse and Schrader were making dive helmets for the navy. Desco
and Miller-Dunn went into production around 1943. In total only about 7,000 MK V helmets were produced by all four companies
during the war years with DESCO producing the most, then Morse, Schrader and Miller-Dunn. The scarcity of the latter two are
the reason they command a higher price in the market.
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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-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 DivingIn February 1980 the MK 12 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.
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