Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original production-used M1-style helmet from Steven Spielberg’s landmark 1998 motion picture Saving Private Ryan. Painted with the distinctive 2nd Ranger Battalion marking on the rear and retaining Costume Rentals Corporation identification inside both the shell and liner, it is a documented surviving wardrobe artifact from one of the most influential World War II films ever produced.

Saving Private Ryan fundamentally changed how the Second World War was depicted on screen. Its extraordinary recreation of the Normandy landings established a new standard for realism in military filmmaking and influenced nearly every major WWII film, television series, and video game that followed.

The outside of this fine helmet was painted with <2> 2nd Ranger Battalion markings on the rear over a horizontal “Follow Me” stripe. The shell itself is an original Vietnam War Era Rear Seam Swivel Bale, with a partial upside down heat lot stamp, 05H. As shown, there are several stress cracks in the shell that go through the Follow Me Bar, so this example went through some trauma.

The helmet bears the initials CRC written in black marker on the interior of both the shell and liner. This denotes that the helmet originated from Costume Rentals Corporation (CRC), which supplied a substantial portion of the World War II–era wardrobe and uniform pieces used in the film. This helmet—along with other materials—was only recently released following CRC’s closure in 2025, and as such, has never previously been offered on the market.

This helmet comes with a printed copy of a notarized letter confirming that the helmet and other material came from CRC, the Costume Rentals Corporation, who supplied a substantial amount of World War II-era wardrobe and uniform pieces for use in the film. The letter confirms that these materials were indeed used in the Production of SPR. The letter was signed by Harlan Glenn, who worked on the production of "Saving Private Ryan" as Costume Consultant and Purchaser.

The liner is a Vietnam War Paratrooper example with dark green suspension and fittings. The sweatband is retained as is the leather chinstrap which is reproduction. The shell chinstrap was replaced with the correct early war khaki with stamped brass fittings. The liner’s suspension is stamped U.S. ACAD, another known stamp used to mark SPR-used items.

A comparable Saving Private Ryan 2nd Ranger Battalion helmet was previously presented by Propstore with an auction estimate of $3,000 to $5,000. Although it did not sell, bidding reached $2,750 and can be seen at this link.

The 2nd Ranger Battalion was activated during World War II and trained in preparation for Operation Overlord. On June 6, 1944, elements of the battalion under Lieutenant Colonel James Rudder assaulted the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc. Their mission was to disable German artillery capable of threatening the Allied landing beaches.

After delays caused by navigational errors and severe conditions at sea, the Rangers scaled the cliffs using ropes and ladders while under enemy fire. Although the suspected gun positions were initially found empty, Ranger patrols located the artillery inland and disabled it. Of the approximately 225 Rangers who began the assault, only about 90 remained capable of fighting after two days of continuous combat.

The battalion’s actions at Pointe du Hoc became one of the most celebrated episodes of D-Day and are directly connected to the Ranger imagery recreated in Saving Private Ryan. International Military Antiques also has a direct connection to the production, having supplied machine guns, edged weapons, and other equipment used during filming.

With its 2nd Ranger Battalion marking, CRC identification, production modifications, documented provenance, and letter signed by a member of the film’s costume department, this is a significant surviving artifact from one of the most important war films ever made.

On 1 April 1943 the 2nd Ranger Battalion was formed at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, along with the 5th Ranger Battalion. Both battalions were officially activated in September 1943 and shipped to Great Britain where they were prepared for Operation Overlord as part of six Ranger battalions of the Second World War.

On 6 June 1944, Dog, Easy, and Fox Companies, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel James Rudder, landed at Pointe du Hoc from LCA landing craft and specially modified DUKW "Ducks" operated by the Royal Navy. The 225 Rangers had set off from Britain to launch an assault upon the cliffs overlooking the English Channel. In order to augment the strength of the 2nd Battalion, members of the Provisional Ranger Group were assigned as well. Several landing craft containing Rangers and supplies capsized in the stormy waters and many Rangers drowned due to heavy equipment, but others were saved and hoisted into other DUKWs to participate in the attack. The Rangers had planned to land at the base of the cliffs at 0600 hours, however, because of a navigational error, they landed nearly an hour late. This cost the lives of more Rangers as well as the element of surprise. During the attack, the 190 remaining Rangers scaled the cliffs utilizing rope ladders, but only 90 Rangers were still able to bear arms after two days of relentless fighting. During the assault, 2nd Battalion managed to achieve their primary objective, disabling a battery of 155mm French artillery captured by the Germans. These guns were to be aimed at Utah Beach, however, the Rangers prevented their use, saving American lives on the shores of Normandy