Original U.S. WWII Named Engineer Painted M1 Schlueter Fixed Bale Front Seam Helmet with Matched Firestone Liner - Lieutenant Painter - Excellent
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Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is an outstanding untouched example of an early 1943 Schlueter M1 helmet & matching Firestone liner worn by a Lieutenant Painter of the Engineers. We haven’t been able to identify Painter, making for a very exciting research project. 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. This example is stamped 41A / S for a February/March 1943 manufacture date, one of the earliest we’ve seen.
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.
This rare helmet is a fine example and still retains all of its original WW2 parts and paint. The rim of the helmet has been painted red, with white Engineer castles painted to each side, and a white “Follow me” vertical stripe on the back. The front of the helmet is painted with a phrase which appears to be J__-Milano, which we are unsure about the meaning of.
This is an early M-1 helmet with a set of fixed (non-movable) chinstrap loops called bales and a stainless steel rim. 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). The chinstrap is the correct early war stamped brass with a khaki strap.
The matching liner is correct “high pressure” WWII issue and stamped with an F logo over 20 for the FIRESTONE TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY Manufactured in Akron, Ohio. This “high pressure” manufactured M-1 helmet liner is identified by an embossed “F” in the crown. Firestone Tire and Rubber Company started M-1 helmet liner delivery to the US Army in September 1942. They produced approximately 7,500,000 M-1 helmet liners and discontinued production around August 17 1945 when the war ended.
This liner is absolutely original to the helmet, with the same Engineer castles painted to each side, with the “follow me” vertical stripe to the back. The front has a Lieutenant’s bar over the name PAINTER. Interestingly, the Engineer castles & Lieutenant bar were all painted lower but then repainted higher, which further cements its originality to the helmet shell. The liner chinstrap is present and in mostly solid condition, stretched taut over the brim. Some of the suspension shows tearing from age and wear, but nothing too serious. The sweatband is well-retained and shows service use.
This is an outstanding early war Engineer Lieutenant’s helmet with gorgeous period paint. Comes ready for further research and display!
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