Original Item: Only One Available. 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. This example is stamped 74A / S, for extremely early production.

This example came to us with the story that the helmet was found untouched in a barn in the Bastogne region around 2005, and the helmet did originally have a tag with this information, but it is now gone. We have no provenance to back up this claim, however.

The shell is missing much of its green paint due to oxidation which is heavy across the exterior. The front look to have originally had two pieces of white tape applied to the front denoting the rank of Captain, but the pieces are long gone. Thankfully, the material residue still leave clear discernable shapes.

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, but the receiving end of the chinstrap is broken off at the very tips, so the buckle does not stay together well. The rim is now nearly void of paint, as is what occurs with early stainless steel rims.

The matching liner is correct “high pressure” WWII issue and stamped with an F logo over 37 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.

The liner has two pieces of medical tape applied to denote the rank of Captain, in the same way as was done on the shell. This certainly matches the liner to the helmet, with the same “barn-find” patina on both. 

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 now very worn and the fittings oxidized. 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 sweatband is entirely gone and there is heavy dirt and debris residue on the crown.

A true “been there” early war Captain’s helmet with an interesting story, ready for further research and display.