Item:
ONSV4714

Original U.S. Late WWII or Korean War M1 McCord Rear Seam Paratrooper Helmet with Westinghouse Liner

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. The M1 helmet is a combat helmet that was used by the United States military from World War II until 1985, when it was succeeded by the PASGT helmet. For over forty years, the M1 was standard issue for the U.S. military. The M1 helmet has become an icon of the American military, with its design inspiring other militaries around the world. This is a very nice Late WWII or Korean War issue McCord M1 helmet shell, with a WWII Issue Westinghouse Paratrooper liner.

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 M1 shell has correct mid war fixed chinstrap loops, called "bales," and a stainless steel rim with a front 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 October 1943, issues with the fixed bales breaking off resulted in a change to the "swivel bales". Then in October 1944, the rims were changed to non magnetic manganese steel, due to issues with the paint wearing off the rim. Shortly after this in November 1944 the specification was changed to have the rim seam in the rear of the helmet.

McCord restarted production during the post war years for the Korean Conflict, and there were also WWII helmets which were refit during the war. They were the same shape and configuration as the late war M1 Shells, which matches this helmet. This helmet has been repainted several times, but the original "cork" pattern looks to be WWII. It has seen quite a bit of wear, as well as damage on the top, most likely from being dropped, or possibly the owner was quite tall. It has the correct Post WWII style chin strap, held onto the bales by metal clips, and both sides have the correct snaps to attach to the paratrooper liner, though for some reason they were installed backwards. It would be relatively easy to uncrimp them and install them properly.

The liner is definitely a correct "high pressure" WWII issue, and stamped with a W under mold number D 13, for the Westinghouse Electric Co Manufactured in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This "high pressure" manufactured M-1 helmet liner is 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. This liner definitely looks to be original, and not a conversion, but with the amount of wear it is difficult to tell. Westinghouse discontinued production around August 17, 1945 when the war ended.

This true M1 liner be identified through the frontal eyelet hole. Other correct features include OD Green #3 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 tie string. This way the wearer could adjust the fit.  The original suspension is in excellent condition, showing very little wear., though there is no sweatband installed, and the original leather liner chin strap is missing, with the clips still attached and about 2cm of leather on one end.

The paratrooper chin strap extensions are both complete with their cast brass buckles, and are in the correct OD Green #7 for late or post ware installation. The original paratrooper chin strap is still present, and is the type made entirely of fabric, with no leather padding. It is also Korean War color OD green #7, and is in great shape.

A Korean War Issued M1 paratrooper helmet with a very interesting WWII issue liner! Ready to research and display!

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