Original Item: Only One Available. This is one of the original prop helmets used during the filming of Steven Spielberg's seminal work "Saving Private Ryan". The outside was painted with a white three-leaf clover on the left and right sides, denoting use by the 327th Glider Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. If you recall the film 2nd Lieutenant DeWindt was assigned to the 327th in Saving Private Ryan is a glider pilot questioned by Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) about his crash landing, in which 22 men were killed after steel plates were added to the glider to protect a general, making it too heavy and directly causing the crash. This helmet was not DeWindt's but instead used for background actors or set dressing during the group in the scene. 

The shell itself is an original WWII Front Seam Swivel Bale bearing heat lot number 415A / S, for mid-war production by Schleuter. There is clear evidence of a helmet net having been on the helmet with heavy shadowing below. 

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. 

The interior of the shell is also stamped U.S. SPR, denoting use in Saving Private Ryan. The majority of props used in the show did not have this stamp, but a good amount of them did, rare to see in conjunction with having come from CRC!

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 US marked example with dark green suspension. The shell still has the WWII khaki chinstrap, and the liner has been fitted with a reproduction chinstrap.

A very nice painted helmet used in Saving Private Ryan, ready to fit with a helmet net and display.

Although a glider infantry regiment, the majority of the 327th landed by sea on Utah Beach in the afternoon of 7 June 1944, because of a shortage of planes to tow its gliders. Some elements did reach shore on D-Day, 6 June, but because of rough seas, beach traffic, and the fact that the paratroopers of the 101st had already achieved many of their objectives, the landing was delayed. The 327th suffered a few casualties going ashore from enemy fire and were strafed by enemy aircraft. Near Saint-Côme-du-Mont (southeast of the village), the 327th was camped right next to German paratroopers, separated by thick hedgerows. German-speaking soldiers in the 327th engaged in taunting the enemy. The 327th took several casualties by enemy mortars. By 8 June, the 327th had entered the front line, largely in reserve of the 506th until crossing the Douve River near Carentan. First and Second Battalions guarded Utah Beachhead's left flank northeast of Carentan. Company C was hit hard by friendly fire mortars while crossing the Douve. Official findings blamed enemy mines. Company B also suffered casualties in the incident.

The 327th suffered heavy casualties while advancing on Carentan via what is now the city Marina from a northeast direction and other casualties approaching Carentan from the east. G Company led the attack on the west bank of the marina canal. A Company of the attached 401st Glider Infantry Regiment was on the east bank of the canal. Concealed German machine guns and mortars inflicted the most casualties. Chaplain Gordon Cosby earned a Silver Star for bravery in the face of the enemy for assisting wounded glider men in front of heavily armed German soldiers. The 327th played a pivotal role with the 501st and 506th of the 101st in taking Carentan. The 327th marched through the town and East to be possibly the first unit of the Utah Beachhead to link up with the Omaha Beachhead around the four-villages area of le Fourchette, le Mesnil, le Rocher and Cotz. It was then directed South between the bulk of the 101st and the 75th Infantry Division of the Omaha Beachhead.

The unit was commanded by Col. George S. Wear through 10 June, when command was turned over to Col. Joseph H. Harper. Although not official, the men of the 327th understood that Wear was replaced because of friendly-fire artillery casualties while crossing the Douve River. Officially, enemy mortars were blamed.