IMPORTANT
ANTIQUE
ALFRED HALE
DIVING
HELMET Ca 1900!
DIMENSIONS OF HELMET: 18 1/2” H x 16 1/2” W x 16" D WEIGHT
37 lbs
STAND NOT INCLUDED
Copyright
2012 - 2011 by Land And Sea Collection™, All Rights Reserved
Presented
is a rare 12 bolt, 3 light helmet with an Alfred Hale tag, in lieu of the more customary name of the company stamped on the breast plate. What is even more confusing is that both A.J. Morse and Alfred Hale made the same style
helmet
so it is not possible to say with certainty, which
company made this one since the current Morse Company records doi. do
not go back beyond 1910. Its Serial Number is 1179 with all numbers
matching even on all four brailes. The patina on
this
helmet is an unusual, even, reddish brown color on both
the bonnet and breast plate suggesting it was refurbished
at
some
time in the past. That said, it is in outstanding
original condition with all moving parts functioning. The only
modification to this helmet from the original design
is the addition of a cup on the back
which is sealed on the inside, and
has no obvious use.
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From Alfred Hale Rubber Co., Boston,
Mass. Catalog |
Morse and Alfred Hale were established in Boston
in the same year, 1837. It is known
that
Morse was a supplier to
Alfred Hale Rubber Co. after Hale entered into the commercial diving business, which may account for this helmet's tag
rather than an
imprint. On breast plates made by Hale, the company name was stamped in the same position as seen in
their catalog
sheet.This same style helmet appears
in the 1910 Morse catalog on page 35 which by no way means it was not made earlier since this
catalog is the earliest currently available to most
collectors.
|
Tag Imprint: Alfred Hale Rubber Co.,
Boston, Mass. |
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.
PROVENANCE: Purchased approximately 40 years ago by a then airline pilot, now retired, from property
owned by the Natoma Company. The former owner also served as an Airforce pilot in Vietnam. The Natoma Water and Gold Excavating
Company was founded in 1851 to provide water to mines in the area and was one of the largest owners of water rights in Sacramento
County, California. They completed building the Folsom Dam in 1893, and during the process went through a reorganization in
which their various subsidiaries were consolidated into the Natomas Consolidated of California in 1912, which in turn, became
the Natoma Company. In 1953 much of the South Fork holdings were sold to the U.S. government for the Folsom Reservoir project.
and certain of their assets were put in storage.
MARKINGS: The Morse name tag is not always present on helmets
made during this era. We have sold a number of them without it. However, the design is clearly that of Alfred Hale or of Morse.
The number 1179 is stamped on the brailes, upper and lower rings of the bonnet and breast plate.
CONDITION: A cup was added on the left back sometime in its life,
but it is sealed on the inside, and was never wired for communication. The front door unscrews and the early style exhaust
valve wheel turns. The air passages are all intact. The chin button is
in place and functions. Field repairs were made to stop leaking using what appears to be epoxy. It also was coated
with a lacquer like substance at some time. The bonnet shows
numerous small dents in the front and on top with a large dent around the air inlet on the back. The red lead bedding compound
on the left port shows it to be an old replacement.
PRIOR HELMET SALE:
About three years ago we sold a later version of this generation Morse helmet with a serial number of 1285. It was dated by
Morse as being made in 1912. However, the design of the current offering, with the elevated crown of the bonnet and the deeper
breast plate, is distinctively different. The two helmets are pictured here for the sake of comparison and original verdigris
patina helmet is not included in this offer. It too was a remarkable helmet,
|
Serial number 1179 left, 1285 right
. Note difference in breast plates. | BRIEF HISTORY OF ALFRED HALE RUBBER CO: Like Morse, Hale started business in 1837 as Alfred Hale
& Company at 17 Covington St., Boston, Mass. However, in the early years, it was a manufacturer and supplier of rubber
wading pants, rubberized cloth, rubber cement and other rubberized goods. It did not start in the diving business until sometime
around 1870 when helmets with their name first appeared. In 1869, their catalog stated they were located at 23 School Street,
Boston, and their product line consisted of Hale's improved submarine armor and diving
apparatus, complete. Air pumps, helmet dresses, hose, weights, and every article necessary for a complete diving outfit. The
next record we find is in their 1917 catalog where it states that the company was established in 1837 and conducted
business in that form until 1900 when it became a corporation,. i.e. the Alfred Hale Rubber Co, Inc. It also stated that they
were a pioneer in the manufacture of diving outfits with 80 years of experience.
HISTORY OF MORSE
DIVING: In the arena of deep sea diving,
there are few companies with the longevity and history of Morse Diving. The company was founded in 1837 as a Boston maker
of brass ware, three years before Englishman Augustus Siebe manufactured its first closed air dive helmet. During the Civil
War, the firm commenced building maritime fittings and began experimenting with early underwater hardhat designs from Siebe-Gorman
and other pioneering makers. In 1864, Andrew Morse bought out his partner, introduced his sons into the business, and began
to focus on creating new products for underwater salvage expeditions. Morse was the first company to make the Navy MK V helmet,
starting production in 1916. As their expertise and experience grew over the years, they developed a worldwide reputation
as a major supplier of hardhat diving apparatus. Morse continues in business today in Rockland, MA.
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Early style exhaust control & lock | |
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OUR
UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned within
five days of receipt in its original packaging if without damage. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only
a prior email authorization from us for the return is required. Shipping charges are included in this offer within the continental
United States. if an error is due to our fault.
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 $125.00 depending on destination and amount of insurance.
International
buyers welcome , but inquire first. We
have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, China,
Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Estonia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary,
Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand,
Nigeria, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland,
Singapore, South Africa, Spain, St. Maarten, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern
Caribbean.
ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer, cashier's check, money order, or personal check
in which case the item will be held until cleared. No credit cards or PayPal accepted.
Copyright
2012 - 2011 by Land And Sea Collection™, All Rights Reserved
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