AJMS Four Light Commercial Helmet

Product Features

The A.J.Morse & Son Commercial Diving Helmet made by DESCO is the second generation design. The first generation was created in the 1850s by Andrew Morse. The first gen helmet had what Leon Lyons called a "high dome" two piece bonnet shell. Metal spinning is an ancient craft but did not come into use in diving helmet manufacture unitl the late 1800s. Early Copper shells (bonnet and breastplate) were made in two or more intelocking pieces. The interlocking joints resembled the ramparts on a castle which is why bonnets made like this are called castellated bonnets. The second generation helmets DESCO makes use a one piece bonnet shell Morse called the "Streamlined". It was introduced in the 1890s. Up until that time Morse only offered one helmet in their catalog. In the second generation helmet it was offered in three or four light, with a standard interruped thread neck ring, breastplate air feed neck ring, or a five bolt neck ring.

The AJMS MIlwaukee 4LC is the same commercial helmet Morse made from the late 1890s to the mid 1930s when the 3rd (and last) generation was introduced. 

The AJMS Four Light Commercial Helmet comes standard with communications. The communications system has a base soldered on to the bonnet shell. An elbow bolts to the base and is configured with either a bulkhead connection or the Morse communication plug. Below the block between the faceplate and left window is a cable clamp. 

The helmet is fitted with a "head butt" adjustable single spring exhaust valve mounted to the right rear. The exhaust can be tripped by the diver pushing it open with the back of his head. The helmet comes with a "Navy" type Non-Return Valve. The helmet lock replicates the original lock which did not have a latch gate. We can install a Mark V latch and pin assembly or replicate the early "home made" sheet Brass gate with a pin. If the helmet is to be dived we recommend having a latch installed to prevent the lock from accidentally opening and allowing the bonnet to become unscrewed underwater. 

The breastplate is fitted with studs to hold the old type horseshoe chest and back weights. The bonnet has rope hooks on the sides where the ropes from the rear weight would pass through. The weight helped keep the helmet firmly planted on the divers shoulders. 

The breastplate comes standard with mouse ear wing nuts. There are four washers which are places at the brail joints under the wing nut. Morse offered hex nuts instead of wing nuts as an option. Those are available if desired. 

The helmet comes either hand Tin plated or high polished. Tin plating is $250.00 higher.

At this time we have not constructed a standard four light commercial helmet. The photos in this product listing are of AJMS 4LC #1769 built in 1911. We show these photos to illustrate the communcations elbow assembly. Refer to the M0200N Mark III helmet photos for a general view of the helmet's appearance.