Original Item: Only One Available. This particular helmet liner is a fascinating piece of history, showcasing a "high pressure" M1 liner that was initially utilized during World War II. It was later reissued for use during the Korean War as a Marine Corps Military Police helmet. It's highly probable that it was still being used during the early years of the Vietnam War. Despite its age, this liner has remarkably retained its original white paint, which is an impressive feat considering it was used without a shell. The stripes around the circumference of the liner are still visible, adding to the liner's authenticity as an MP liner.

This remarkable helmet liner was produced during World War II and boasts a frontal eyelet, which was used to attach the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor to the front of the liner without compromising its integrity by drilling a hole through it. The presence of this detail makes it an especially intriguing artifact for collectors and historians alike, as it offers a rare glimpse into the past and the crucial role that helmets played in military operations during the mid-20th century. This helmet liner is a fascinating piece of history, providing a tangible connection to the brave Marines who wore it and the turbulent times they lived through.

The M1 helmet is a quintessential piece of military headgear that was originally designed to offer protection to American soldiers during times of conflict. It was in use by the US military from World War II until 1985, when it was succeeded by the PASGT helmet. The M1 helmet's distinctive design and durability have made it an enduring symbol of the US military, and its influence can be seen in the helmets of other militaries across the globe. The helmet is made of steel and features a distinctive shape that covers both the head and neck, providing maximum protection while still allowing for a wide range of movement.

The first liners were produced in June 1941 and designed by Hawley Products Company. The suspension was initially made from strips of silver rayon webbing stretched around and across the inside of the liner. A sweatband is clipped onto these, and is adjusted to fit around the head of the wearer. Three triangular bands of rayon meet at the top of the helmet, where they were adjusted by a shoestring to fit the height and shape of the wearer's head. A snap-on nape strap cushioned the liner against the back of the wearer's neck and stops it from falling off. As the rayon had a tendency to stretch and not recover its shape, the suspension material was later changed to olive drab number 3, and then olive drab number 7, herringbone twill cotton webbing.

World War II and Korean War-era liners have their own chinstrap made from brown leather. The liner chinstrap does not have loops like the shell; it was either riveted directly to the inside of the liner (early examples) or snapped onto studs. It can still swivel inside the liner. The chinstrap is usually seen looped over the brim of the shell, and helps to keep it in place when its own chinstraps are not in use.

Early liners were made from a mix of compressed paper fibers impregnated with phenolic resin, with olive drab cotton twill fabric stretched over the outside. They were discontinued in November 1942 because they degraded quickly in high heat and high humidity environments. They were replaced by evolving plastic liners, using a process developed by the Inland Division of General Motors. These liners were made of strips of cotton cloth bathed in phenolic resin and draped in a star shape over a liner-shaped mold, where they were subjected to pressure to form a liner. The initial "low pressure" process was deemed unacceptable by the Army, but accepted out of need. These liners were made by St. Clair Manufacturing and Hood Rubber Company. Hawley, Hood, and St. Clair's contracts were canceled by early 1944, when a "high pressure" process which produced better-quality liners became commercially viable. Companies which produced "high pressure" liners during World War II included Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, CAPAC Manufacturing, Inland (whose molds were acquired by Firestone after their contract was canceled), Mine Safety Appliances Company, Seaman Paper Company, and International Molded Plastics, Inc.

This liner is correct “high pressure” WWII issue and stamped with an F logo 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 true US WWII M-1 helmet liner can be identified through the frontal eyelet hole. Other correct WW2 features include cotton herringbone twill (HBT) cloth suspension liner. 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. The chin strap is unfortunately missing.

Comes more than ready for display.