Diving Helmet & Dive Equipment

Argonaut Traders

4.1 Ancient Deep Sea Diving Helmet which 'has the look' of serious bottom time service. 12-bolt pattern helmet with appearance of hand beaten copper with brass fittings and may be circa late 19thC - early 20thC. Helmet could predate dive-phone communications. No evidence of a factory installed telephone connection or a later upgrade. Early divers had to rely on signaling tenders by tugging their line. Helmet provenance probably Japanese with small oval manufacturer's plate affixed to breastplate, but no definitive reference has yet been uncovered to determine when first Japanese helmets were manufactured. Airways present in bonnet, which separates okay from breastplate. All glass is good, no chips or cracks. Exhaust valve has been professionally modified at some time with a couple of small old plugs to back of bonnet. One of the breastplate brails appears to be an old replacement, sans a few wing nuts. Hat is the second to surface from an extensive maritime collection. Understandably, this decommissioned helmet is not warranted as a life support system for diving but would make a great collectible artifact. POR

4.2 Diving Helmet of Asian descent; uncertain if Japanese, Korean or Chinese. Helmet is 3-light 12 bolt model made of copper with brass fittings and manufacturer's plate affixed to breastplate.
Helmet is complete with typical usage dents as pictured. Glass good and without chips or cracks. Airways present in bonnet, which separates from breastplate okay. Faceplate stuck on threads with one of the brass studs missing.
Although diving helmet may be useable, it is not warranted for use as a life support system for diving but offered as a collectible artifact only. Understandably, it should be thoroughly tested by a certified technician before any diving applications. POR

4.3 Diving Helmet is a Russian 3-light 12 bolt model made of copper with brass fittings and manufacturer's plate affixed to breastplate.
Helmet is complete and in enviable condition, no dents observed, gaskets appear good to go, looks to be in diveable shape. Glass good and without chips or cracks. Airways present in bonnet, which separates from breastplate via three bolts.
Although diving helmet may be useable, it is not warranted for use as a life support system for diving but offered as a collectible artifact only. Understandably, it should be thoroughly tested by a certified technician before any diving applications. POR

4.4 Vintage Diving Dress with dedicated collar to form a watertight seal with a standard 12-bolt breastplate. Dress will fit Mark V, Siebe Gorman and most commercial diving helmets and is of Asian descent with maker's logo on collar; uncertain if Japanese, Chinese or Korean.
Canvas is pretty clean, overall sound and pliable with expected usage wear including some limited minor fraying and discoloration from age, spots, stains, etc. as pictured below. Dress available only as collectible for display; not warranted for diving. Estimated shipping weight 20 lbs. POR

4.5 Rare Russian Diver's Knife with non-magnetic brass blade in good and unpolished condition as found and pictured below. Second photo compares this all brass non-magnetic blade with standard steel blade found on most dive knives including this Seaquest Fantom SCUBA knife.
Pommel marked: AM. Blade in nice shape, no pitting. Knife is complete with old original belt and snap to attach to jake. Some typical minor scattered usage marks, dings to scabbard. Buyer's choice to polish away old verdigras. Interestingly, we have not seen another example like this offered. POR

4.6 Standard US Navy Free-Flow Diving Mask manufactured by DESCO. "Air is fed through a non-return valve, an air-control valve, and a three-way inhale valve. Air is exhausted on the left side of the mask through a rubber-disc exhaust valve," as described in an old DESCO catalog. Mask seems to be in diveable condition, rubber is pliable, just some expected minor scuffs to window. However, due to liability mask is offered as a collectible in as found condition. As with any antique and/or used life support gear, mask should be inspected by a qualified technician prior to any return to underwater service. Please click on photo to enlarge view. POR

4.7 Scarce CEAG LTD. nickel-plated brass hard hat diver's flashlight. The light, numbered AP 4456, illuminates via a heavy convex lens at the business end of its watertight battery canister. CEAG & Siebe Gorman Diving Helmet Co. of London had diving light supply contracts with the British Royal Navy divers to manufacture this identical flashlight design; the Siebe seems more commonly available. Light in very good useable condition with overall length of 11-1/2". POR

4.8 Rare vintage heavy brass and wood handled CEAG LTD. INSPECTION LAMP, used by early hard hat divers. CEAG & Siebe Gorman Diving Helmet Co. of London had diving light supply contracts with the British Royal Navy divers. The lamp is made of heavy brass construction with watertight canister for battery powered operation and is in good condition. These are getting harder to find than Mark Vs. Dimensions are: 8-1/2" height x 5-1/2" width x 2lbs wt. POR

4.9 Rare antique Porcelain Depth Gauge Dial signed SIEBE GORMAN & Co. Ltd. London. Dial is believed to have survived early dive bell or submarine service with the Royal Navy stationed in a large depth gauge. Dial face calibrated with two concentric outer scales marked respectively:

Three small dials are stationed on lower half of face and inscribed: