Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a genuine WWII Front-Seam Fixed Bale M1 Helmet made by McCord Radiator, with a CAPAC liner. The U.S. WWII M-1 helmet was only produced from 1941 to 1945. The first production batch resulted with over 323,510 M-1 helmets before the start of the American involvement in the war. This helmet is heat lot stamped 623C which indicates the approximate manufacture date of August 1943, just prior to the change to swivel bales.

The Ordnance Department selected McCord Radiator and Manufacturing Company of Detroit Michigan to produce the steel M1 helmet bodies. These bodies were made from a single piece of Hadfield Manganese steel that was produced by the Carnegie-Illinois & Sharon Steel Corporations. Each completed raw M-1 helmet shell weighed 2.25 lbs each.

This M1 shell has correct mid war fixed chinstrap loops, called "bales," and a stainless steel rim with a front seam. 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). In October 1943, issues with the fixed bales breaking off resulted in a change to the "swivel bales". Then in October 1944, the rims were changed to non magnetic manganese steel, due to issues with the paint wearing off the rim. Shortly after this in November 1944 the specification was changed to have the rim seam in the rear of the helmet.

This helmet is a fine example and still retains all of its original WW2 parts and the shell has all original "corked" grain paint, though it definitely has seen use. There is some rusting in areas, as well as dirt and overall patina of age. It has the correct fixed bails and a stainless steel rim, which is missing paint, as is typical. The chin strap is the correct mid war OD Green #3 with a steel buckle.

The front and rear of the shell has a faintly painted “red cross” denoting use by either a medic or a US Navy Corpsman attached to a Marine unit in the Pacific Theater. Smaller and fewer markings were used to identify the Medical personnel as the Japanese would target them more. For every medic killed, dozens of Marines and Soldiers would be killed as a result of improper treatment of wounds. In today's military, the individual attends many different medical courses, though not as in depth as a Medic/Corpsman, but enough to stabilize the wounded.

The helmet comes complete with high pressure WWII issue and stamped with the CAPAC Manufacturing Company logo with frontal eyelet. Manufactured in Capac, Michigan this high pressure manufactured M-1 helmet liner is identified by an embossed cross with the words Capac in the crown. Capac Manufacturing Company 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.

This true US WWII M-1 helmet liner can be identified through the frontal eyelet hole. Other correct WWII features include cotton OD Green #3 herringbone twill (HBT) cloth suspension liner, with the webbing in very good shape. This HBT suspension is held tightly within the M-1 helmet liner by rivets and a series of triangular "A" washers. The three upper suspension bands are joined together with the correct OD green string. This way the wearer could adjust the fit. It shows wear and age from long service. The liner chin strap is unfortunately broken and partially present and the leather sweatband is completely missing, which is not uncommon for helmets used in the hot, humid climate of the tropics.

This is an excellent genuine WWII issue helmet perfect for any collection! Ready to display!