The price includes a credit card fee. If you pay by check, money order, or bank wire, the discounted price is $11,995 delivered within the contiguous United States.
 
Presented is this beautiful and highly distinctive antique diving helmet featuring a brass identification plate from John Date of Montreal, Canada. John Date was Canada's only commercial diving helmet manufacturer and, beginning in the 1850s, produced some of the finest diving equipment made in North America. While this helmet prominently displays a John Date identification plate, it is not represented as an original factory-built John Date helmet. Instead, it is a fascinating period assembly incorporating authentic components from John Date, Siebe Gorman, A. Schrader's Son, and possibly other manufacturers, resulting in a remarkable and visually striking piece of diving history.
 
One of the helmet's most significant features is its exceptionally rare four-bolt neck ring configuration. Only a handful of four-bolt helmets are known to exist today, with the overwhelming majority of surviving "neck ring bolt" diving helmets utilizing the five-bolt design. Opportunities to acquire an authentic four-bolt helmet are exceedingly rare, making this an exceptional chance to own one of the hobby's most elusive configurations at a fraction of the price commanded by an original factory example.
 
Professionally polished to a brilliant mirror-like finish, the helmet has been protected with a clear coating to preserve its exceptional appearance for years to come. The gleaming brass, combined with its uncommon four-bolt configuration, gives the helmet an imposing presence unlike virtually anything else on the market. Its uniqueness was recognized decades ago when it was featured in the landmark reference Helmets of the Deep.
 
Equally impressive is the helmet's completeness. It retains all twelve wing nuts, four brails, all faceplate glass, four neck ring wing nuts, internal air passages, a spitcock valve, exhaust valve, air inlet elbow, and communications elbow. The four neck ring bolts function properly, allowing the bonnet and breastplate to separate smoothly.
 
One of the helmet's most captivating features is its hand-formed copper bonnet. Constructed from multiple sections brazed together using the traditional castellation, or "castling," technique, the craftsmanship is immediately apparent. The prominent castellated seams create a dramatic visual effect while showcasing one of the defining construction methods used on early diving helmets. One of the accompanying photographs clearly highlights this remarkable detail along the crown of the bonnet.
 
Whether displayed in a serious diving helmet collection, museum, executive office, or private gallery, this helmet is certain to command attention. Its rare configuration, documented publication history, authentic period components, and outstanding presentation combine to create a truly memorable display piece. While unquestionably authentic in that it is assembled from genuine antique diving helmet components, it is not an original factory configuration. Accordingly, it will not be accompanied by a Nation's Attic Certificate of Authenticity.
 
The display stand shown in the photographs is not included but may be purchased separately at a discounted price. The helmet will be professionally packed in a specially prepared shipping container and shipped via FedEx. Worldwide shipping is available. Please contact us for a shipping quote outside the United States.
 
The price includes credit card fee. If you pay by check, money order, or bank wire, the discounted price is $11,995 delivered within the contiguous United States.