Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent example of a circa 1944-1945 U.S. Auxiliary Police Helmet. It is an excellent WWII M1 Swivel-Bale Helmet with liner by Westinghouse in lovely condition. These Auxiliary Police Helmets were a common sight during WWII. However, many were repainted in the years following WWII, when the helmets were refurbished for reissue, much like this one. The M1 helmet was repainted and used during the Korean War era and possibly after. The Westinghouse liner is WWII era with Korean War era 1953 dated webbing.
The helmet is in absolutely stunning condition, with the original liner complete with original sweatband and is unfortunately without a nape strap. We cannot find any stampings on the helmet due to the repaint. The exterior of the helmet appears to have undergone a period depot repaint, most likely when the “blue and white square” markings were added. It is our feeling that this helmet dates to the last year of WWII, or even during occupation immediately following the war.
This liner is a very nice example of a genuine WWII "High Pressure" helmet liner by Westinghouse with a 1953 dated sweatband. The liner was then reissued to an officer for use during the Korean war.
The liner is marked on both sides with the unit insignia of the Civil Defense Auxiliary Police. Unfortunately, the liner was repainted a gold color but the decals still show through. Additionally, the front of the helmet has a 2nd Lieutenant Rank insignia on the front. Helmet liners such as these were often worn during training or patrolling, as the steel helmets were not required, an could be heavy and cumbersome at times. The leather chinstrap is unfortunately torn and disconnected but both pieces are still present.
The liner is correct "high pressure" WWII issue and stamped with a W under mold number 26, for manufacture by the the Westinghouse Electric Co of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. These "high pressure" manufactured M-1 helmet liner are identified by an embossed "W" in the crown (which is still Westinghouse's logo to this day). Westinghouse was the largest M-1 helmet liner producer and had two production divisions; Micarta and Bryant Electric. The Micarta Division produced about 13,000,000 M-1 helmet liners and the
Bryant Electric Division about 10,000,000. Westinghouse Electric Company started M-1 helmet liner delivery in May 1942. Westinghouse did have a contract to produce airborne liners and converted an unknown amount to airborne configuration. Westinghouse discontinued production around August 17, 1945 when the war ended.
This is a lovely helmet and comes more than ready for further research and display.
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