Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a genuine WWII Front-Seam Swivel Bale M1 Helmet made by McCord Radiator, fitted with a very nice liner by Inland. 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 faintly heat lot stamped 862F which indicates the approximate manufacture date of early 1944.
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 very good condition M1 shell has correct mid war swivel chinstrap loops, called "bales," and a stainless steel rim with a front fully welded 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 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 most of its original "corked" grain paint showing heavy use, wear and some surface oxidation There is also the usual wear on the stainless steel rim. It has the correct late war OD green #3 Chin straps with steel buckles. The front of the helmet has a lovely painted oversized Captain bars without the horizontal piece between. The back side of the helmet has a painted triangle that is painted white on one half with remnants of red on the other. We believe this to be an Infantry regiment in the 80th Infantry Division after comparing it to their individual insignia.
The correct "high pressure" style M-1 Helmet liner was manufactured in Dayton, Ohio by the Inland Manufacturing Division, as indicated by the embossed INLAND logo inside the crown. It is also marked with mold number 17. This company started M-1 helmet liner delivery to the US Army in September 1942. They produced approximately 1,900,000 M-1 helmet liners and converted about 75,000 liners to airborne configuration. Inland Manufacturing discontinued M-1 helmet liner production in 1943 when their manufacturing services were deemed better used elsewhere.
This true US WWII M-1 helmet liner be identified through the frontal eyelet hole. Other correct WWII features include cotton OD Green #3 herringbone twill (HBT) cloth suspension liner, however it is definitely quite worn. The leather sweatband and chinstrap are no longer present. The “A Washers” are covered with some extensive oxidation, most likely due to prolonged exposure to the elements.
A wonderful netted example ready for further research and display.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
