Original Item: Only One Available. This is one of the original prop helmets used during the filming of Steven Spielberg's seminal work "Saving Private Ryan". The outside was painted with <2> 2nd Ranger Battalion markings on the rear. The shell itself appears to be an original Vietnam War era Rear Seam Swivel Bale, but as the interior is completely repainted, there are no visible heat lot stamps.

The interior of both the shell and liner is marked in black marker: CRC. These initials identify Costume Rentals Corporation, the major Hollywood wardrobe supplier that provided a substantial quantity of WWII-style uniforms, helmets, and equipment for the production of Saving Private Ryan.

This helmet was among the material released following the closure of Costume Rentals Corporation in 2025 and had not previously been made available on the collector market.

The helmet is accompanied by a printed copy of a notarized letter confirming that it and related materials originated from Costume Rentals Corporation and were used during the production of Saving Private Ryan. The letter was signed by Harlan Glenn, who worked on the film as a costume consultant and purchaser.

This example shows extremely heavy wear across. The liner is a Vietnam War P64 liner marked MXI with the correct suspension and a replaced tie string. The liner was repainted poorly for filming and is now chipping very heavily on the exterior. The liner chinstrap is strangely attached via zip-ties to the later Vietnam era chinstrap bales, certainly done during filming so it looked correct on whatever soldier was wearing it. A great detail.

The shell has a Vietnam War era dark green chinstrap. The chinstrap is the correct Vietnam War style but is thin and may be a replacement during filming. Like most helmets used in the production, a variety of shells and liners were used. Liners used were a wide variety, ranging from original WWII production, Vietnam era, 1980s, foreign clones, etc.

A comparable 2nd Ranger Battalion helmet was offered at auction through The Prop Store with an estimate of $3,000–$6,000 USD. Although it did not sell, the highest bid reached $2,750. That can be viewed at this link (login to see the bid amounts) at this link.

The 2nd Ranger Battalion was activated during World War II and trained in preparation for Operation Overlord. On June 6, 1944, elements of the battalion under Lieutenant Colonel James Rudder assaulted the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc. Their mission was to disable German artillery capable of threatening the Allied landing beaches.

After delays caused by navigational errors and severe conditions at sea, the Rangers scaled the cliffs using ropes and ladders while under enemy fire. Although the suspected gun positions were initially found empty, Ranger patrols located the artillery inland and disabled it. Of the approximately 225 Rangers who began the assault, only about 90 remained capable of fighting after two days of continuous combat.

The battalion’s actions at Pointe du Hoc became one of the most celebrated episodes of D-Day and are directly connected to the Ranger imagery recreated in Saving Private Ryan. International Military Antiques also has a direct connection to the production, having supplied machine guns, edged weapons, and other equipment used during filming.

With its 2nd Ranger Battalion marking, CRC identification, production modifications, documented provenance, and letter signed by a member of the film’s costume department, this is a significant surviving artifact from one of the most important war films ever made.

On 1 April 1943 the 2nd Ranger Battalion was formed at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, along with the 5th Ranger Battalion. Both battalions were officially activated in September 1943 and shipped to Great Britain where they were prepared for Operation Overlord as part of six Ranger battalions of the Second World War.

On 6 June 1944, Dog, Easy, and Fox Companies, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel James Rudder, landed at Pointe du Hoc from LCA landing craft and specially modified DUKW "Ducks" operated by the Royal Navy. The 225 Rangers had set off from Britain to launch an assault upon the cliffs overlooking the English Channel. In order to augment the strength of the 2nd Battalion, members of the Provisional Ranger Group were assigned as well. Several landing craft containing Rangers and supplies capsized in the stormy waters and many Rangers drowned due to heavy equipment, but others were saved and hoisted into other DUKWs to participate in the attack. The Rangers had planned to land at the base of the cliffs at 0600 hours, however, because of a navigational error, they landed nearly an hour late. This cost the lives of more Rangers as well as the element of surprise. During the attack, the 190 remaining Rangers scaled the cliffs utilizing rope ladders, but only 90 Rangers were still able to bear arms after two days of relentless fighting. During the assault, 2nd Battalion managed to achieve their primary objective, disabling a battery of 155mm French artillery captured by the Germans. These guns were to be aimed at Utah Beach, however, the Rangers prevented their use, saving American lives on the shores of Normandy.