diving helmets
gallery
Although there has been diving, of some form, well prior to the development of the "conventional" diving helmet/rig. This section will focus on gear that revolutionized the diving industry, starting back in the mid to late 1800's. Augustus Siebe is known as the "father" of the closed-dressed and helmet diving revolution, having taking earlier ideas from other "primitive" systems. The design Siebe came up with stayed in use for well over a century and a quarter, before the invention of a lighter, more practical "Superlight" design. Even with the advent of the superlights and their predecessors, the big, heavy, bulky design of the Navy Mk. V and other "hardhats" are still being used by collectors and "old-school" divers alike.
Below are a collection of diving helmets and gear from collectors from around the World . Please feel free to send in your photos of your gear: photos@sea-corps.com
Some of these photos were taken from the internet and had no photo credit with them. If one of them belong to you please contact me and advise you do not wish to have it published. Or, id the photo that belongs to you and I will give proper photo credit.
Vintage bolt-style helmets
Navy & Commercial mk v - The Navy MKV was/is a 12-bolt type, surface air fed helmet. It was produced by Mores, Schrader, Miller-Dunn and Desco. It was widely used during WWII by Naval and commercial diving industry salvage crews, although it was originally adopted by the US Navy during the early 1900's. Navy divers were also used to clear debris and mines from landing zones during D-Day and other notable troop landings. Like all "bolt-style" helmets, it's heavy. The helmet and it's complete rig weigh nearly 300 pounds and only the fittest and most daring men were tasked with the job of naval salvage. With the exception of advanced communications and mixed gas capabilities, the MkV's have changed very little since the early 1900's.
the collectors
John-Marc Castier Collection
John-Marc is a hardhat diver and collector from France. He has dove for the famous COMEX company and has over 25 years commercial diving experience under his belt.
John-Marc Castier donning his gear for a dive.
A nice Italian 12-bolt Salvas.
Swindell
Siebe Gormon 12 bolt 4 light with shoes.
For more on Mr. Castier visit him at http://www.castier.com/piela.htm
Krul Collection
Rob Krul is an experienced hardhat diver and builder from Holland. Not only does he have an impressive collection of rigs and hats, he also dives and builds the gear.
Siebe Gorman MRS (Mine Recovery Set). Rob has been collecting this set for
some time now. He still needs the backpack and front weight. Contact
us if you have these 2 pieces of gear. This is a very rare set up and was
used to recover German mines.
Pommec air helmet. Made in Holland mid-70's. Rare helmet.
Siebe Gorman 6 bolt.
50's-era 12 bolt Galeazzi.
Hansen patent helmet. 2 bolt from circa 1912.
Groin mask. Made and dived by Rob.
We look forward to seeing more of his unique collection upon his return trip from Sweden.
Gronow collection
Steve Gronow has an impressive "heavy gear" collection. Steve allowed me to visit his home, which is more like a maritime museum, to view his collection of hard hats, pumps, US Lifesaving Service equipment, shipwreck memorabilia, and an amazing display of lighthouse gear from around the world.
Full Jake and pump.
1918 Schrader
Schrader 1904 pump
Schrader Jake display.
1898 Schrader Helmet
Siebe Gorman double diver pump
.
3 diver comm. unit
Also included in Gronow's collection is one of the dive suit rigs, including an air pump, used in the salvage operation of the 16th Century Swedish warship VASA. The 333 year old VASA was discovered in Sweden in 1956 and salvage ops took place for the next several years. The VASA is now on display in Stockholm Sweden.
Suit and pump used on VASA Salvage op. (Helmet was sold to a collector in
Turkey)
Giltzow Collection
2 of my favorite helmets from the Mike Giltzow collection.
Morse Commercial 1914.
12 bolt - 4 light.
Schrader 12 - 3 light helmet from circa 1930.
A highly polished and restored Korean 12 bolt
.
Russian 3 bolt from 1986. Photo by Mike Giltzow
Russian 12- 3 bolt from 1992. Soon to be in my own
collection - thanks Mike! Photo by Mike Giltzow
U/W Photography & Diving Helmets website
Wilkins Collection
A fine collection of antique and vintage diving knives by collector John Wilkins
A nice looking Russian 3-bolt rig. (Jindra Foka)
A clean Russian 3 bolt. (Jeremy Goodchild).
Morse shallow helmet being preserved by the owner (Vince Pizano)
Modern superlights & Metal
Kirby Morgan Superlites - The KMS helmets are a light and hi-impact resistant helmet. They are the staple of the commercial diving industry today and come in several models - 17 superlite series, KM57, KM47, KM37 and Superlite 27B. They are made of a tough carbon fiber and fiberglass shell with a inner cushion for comfort and thermal protection. Visit the Kirby Morgan website on our links page for more detailed info on these helmets.
Superlite 17 Superlite 27 KM37 KM47
KM57
Superlite 27. Now that's a helmet! Custom Spiderman helmet belongs
to diver R. Landy. Courtesty of Offshorediver.com
Another nice Superlight 27. This one from G.O.M. diver Jacob
Jenkins.
Miller 400 - A popular and beloved helmet in oil fields of the Gulf. These are handcrafted, rugged, solid bronze shelled helmets. They weight about 27 lbs and are capable handling the harsh environment of the Gulf of Mexico oil fields. The Miller 400 comes in the polished bronze and black epoxy finish.
Polished Bronze Black Epoxy
US Navy Gear - The US Navy replaced the bulky and heavy MK 5's with a design based on the KM 17 Superlites. The MK12 was the first design to replace the MK 5 in 1980. Later it was the MK 21 which replaced the MK12 in 1993, and is in use today by Navy divers.
VISIT our "busted" page before you buy your hat on Ebay!
