Professional diving helmet 29103

for welding

DESCO began production of the U.S. Navy Mark V Diving Helmet in 1942. War contract manufacturers were issued drawings prepared by the U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships. Mark V Helmets produced by the various manufacturers were to adhere to these drawings so parts could be interchanged when necessary. DESCO helmets were and are still made using these drawings and specifications. We still manufacture the helmets as they were originally made. Helmet shells are spun copper, NOT HYDROFORMED, and the breastplates are hand pounded in our original 1940's mandrels, NOT MACHINE STAMPED. These methods give each diving helmet its hand crafted individuality, view DESCO's entire selection of unique diving helmets now. The DESCO U.S. Navy Mark V Diving Helmet has been in continuous production since 1942. It conforms to the Bureau of Ships drawings which we still have in our files. Three minor changes have been made in the 61 year production run but the basic helmet design has remained constant. The only material change has been to replace glass windows with Acrylic. This change was approved by the U.S. Navy as the Acrylic windows offered more safety and economy. Pre 1945 DESCO Mark V Helmets had a football shaped nametag marked "Diving Equipment and Salvage Co. Inc" which was a different shape than called for in BuShips drawings. When the company name changed to Diving Equipment and Supply Co. in late 1945 the tag was changed to an oval shape to conform to the BuShips drawings. During the war subcontractors supplied parts and sub assemblies to speed war production.