Item:
ONSV21DWD4

Original U.S. WWII Officer M1 Helmet by Schlueter with Medic Overpaint with MSA Liner

Item Description

Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This WWII U.S. Officer helmet is a fine example and still retains the signs of the three medic markings that were over painted. The helmet also bears a hand painted Lieutenant bar to the front. The steel shell is stamped 118A over a large S, indicating Schlueter manufactured this helmet in 1943. This example retains its shell chinstrap, but unfortunately the J-hook on the left side of the chin strap is missing.

In World War II the production of the M1 helmet began in June 1941 and ceased in September 1945. The total production of M-1 helmet shells during the war reached 22,000,000. Of these about 20,000,000 were produced by the main contractor McCord Radiator and Manufacturing Company of Detroit. Although McCord was supposed to be the single source of M-1 helmet shells, by the summer of 1942 a second company was enlisted to help the production effort. This was Schlueter Manufacturing of St. Louis, Missouri.

Schlueter began production of its M-1 helmet shells in January 1943. Schlueter produced only 2,000,000 M-1 helmet shells during the war (both fixed and swivel). They placed an "S" stamp on their helmet shells above their "heat temperature stamp". M-1 helmet shells had stainless steel rims. These rims were both rust resistant and had "non-magnetic qualities" that reduced the chance of error readings when placed around certain sensitive equipment (such as a compass). This helmet features the correct front seam rim and later war swivel bales. Aside from the markings, there are some subtle differences between a McCord and Schlueter M-1 helmet shell. This can be found on the rims. A Schlueter helmet shell has a much straighter profile than the classic McCord brim.

The correct "high pressure" style M-1 Helmet liner was manufactured by Mine Safety Appliances of Evans City, Pennsylvania, as identified by an embossed stylized MSA logo in the crown. The logo itself was unfortunately mostly removed by a hole drilled in the liner, but we can clearly identify it as an MSA logo from the remnants. It is also marked with mold number 27. Mine Safety Appliance started M-1 helmet liner delivery to the US Army in September 1942. They produced approximately between 2,000,000 – 4,000,000 M-1 helmet liners and discontinued production around August 17 1945 when the war ended.

The liner is in good condition and does not show signs of heavy use. The sweatband has been well preserved and the leather chinstrap is still there. The web also looks great, but the top of the liner has some drilled holes in it. The outside of the liner has a yellow hand-painted second-lieutenant marking on it.

Schlueter helmets have become extremely difficult to find in recent years, especially with the genuine WW2 issue liner from MSA and the medic overpaint from a lieutenant.

Ready for display!

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