DESCO Commercial Diving Helmets

This helmet is similar in material and construction to the U.S. Navy Mark V but makes use of a simpler, although equally rugged design. Breastplate will fit dresses with a commercial collar only.

Approximate shipping weight 54 lbs.

Standard fittings included with Three Light Commercial helmet:

Double spring, adjustable tension, automatic exhaust valve with exterior star-wheel, interior chin button, and banana tube to exhaust air to the rear of the helmet.
Non-return valve with standard submarine threads.
Breastplate eyelets for hose and lifeline attachments.
Breastplate and faceplate gaskets.
Spring Lock
Front window is circular and uses a screw in type faceplate.
Side windows are oval and are mounted horizontally (can be mounted vertically by request).

Options:

Spitcock
Telephone cup
Transceiver
Telephone Gooseneck

Four Light

Cat. No. 29134A

This helmet is similar in material and construction to the U.S. Navy Mark V but makes use of a simpler, although equally rugged design. Breastplate will fit dresses with a commercial collar only.

Approximate shipping weight 58 lbs.

Standard fittings included with Four Light Commercial Helmet:

Double spring, adjustable tension, automatic exhaust valve with exterior star-wheel, interior chin button, and banana tube to exhaust air to the rear of the helmet.
Non-return valve with standard submarine threads.
Breastplate eyelets for hose and lifeline attachments.
Breastplate and faceplate gaskets.
Spitcock
Telephone cup
Transceiver
Telephone Gooseneck
Spring Lock
Front window is circular and uses a screw in type faceplate.
Side windows are oval and are mounted horizontally (can be mounted vertically by request).
Oval top window.

History

Commercial type diving helmets trace their lineage to the 1800's, long before the USN Mark V came about. Morse and Schrader both made helmets on the commercial pattern. What really determines the helmet type is the collar pattern of the breastplate. The commercial helmets are distinctive being wide across the shoulder and back, but not dropping very far down front or back. If you were a commercial diver post American Civil War you probably dove a Sponge style or a commercial helmet. There was much innovation going on at the time. Morse and Schrader made a variety of helmets with various features. One heavyweight helmet design stood the test of time, and that was the commercial helmet. It drew from the best features of the sponge divers helmet and beefed them up to take the rigors and abuse of construction and salvage diving.

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