US WWI Private Purchase Flying Helmet, Gerstner Field Louisiana
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $275.00

Original era manufacture. A very nice condition WWI vintage leather flying helmet which was sold, (and likely made) by the Joe Jacobs Co. of Lake Charles Louisiana.A tan leather helmet with a chamois type leather lining, matching leather chinstrap with a black painted steel securing buckle. There is a strap at the top of the helmet, likely for a scarf or other piece of cloth, a small strap secured with a snap closure at the back of the helmet for a goggle strap with a flap covered opening over each ear.The interior of the helmet displays a machine sewn, printed label from the Joe Jacobs Co., with a blurred customers name and a date of either February 11 1917, or November 2 1917, as it looks to be written 2/11/17. The helmet is very pliable and shows little use and wear.During WWI Gerstner Field was established near Lake Charles La. as a pilot training base by the Air Service in August of 1917 and was dismantled and sold off in 1921, it's facilities were never again used for flying purposes. Joe Jacobs Co. is listed in the Lake Charles 1917 business directory as a tailor and supplier of clothing for men's furnishings and again in the 1921 directory.