Images(7)

Hat, Hard

Object number2017.116.1

Manufacturer Mine Safety Appliances Company

OriginPittsburgh, PA

MediumPlastic(?) or Resin(?); Plastic; Paint; Vinyl(?); Metal; Nylon; Paper; Ink; Adhesive

Credit LineIn memory of Edward Ruglovsky

DescriptionBrown plastic or resin molded Skullgard hard hat with integral brim. Exterior is painted neon green with applied white stripe around crown. Interior has gray plastic and nylon suspension that is mounted on metal clips; the suspension is installed backwards in the hard hat with the padded sweatband at the hat's rear. DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 5.875 x 8.375 x 11.063 in. (14.9 x 21.3 x 28.1 cm)
MarksUnderside of brim has raised text "MSA" and circular grid with numbers.

Suspension's sweatband has text at center "MSA".

Interior at back has two white stickers with printed text:
Proper left sticker has black text including "WARNING / This helmet provides limited protection... / ...";
Proper right sticker has red text including "SKULLGARD / PROTECTIVE HAT OR CAP / COVERED BY ON OR MORE OF U.S. PATENTS... / ... / MSA MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES COMPANY / PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA... / ..."
Historical NotesPart of a collection of items documenting Edward Ruglovsky’s WWII service in the 10th Infantry Regiment and his industrial career at U. S. Steel. Ed Ruglovksy was with 10th as a combat infantryman from January 1944 through the war’s end, and through the campaigns to take Western Europe – Rhineland, Ardennes, Battle of the Bulge, etc. Ruglovsky said it was “the worst place to be” and that he spent a “year being absolutely terrified.” Some of these things he acquired by trading Russian soldiers for them at the end of the war, which fits with the reality that combat infantryman – while in active combat – were not able to collect and save much, so acquiring items from another soldier at war’s end fits with Ruglovsky’s history of service.

Previous owner Edward Ruglovsky

Related institution United States Steel Corporation

Subjects