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.
Vietnam War era M-1 helmet shells have a set of swivel (movable) chinstrap loops called bales and a manganese steel rim. These rims had non-magnetic qualities that reduced the chance of error readings when placed around certain sensitive equipment (such as a compass). In WWII the shells had Stainless Steel rims, however these would easily lose paint, and the shine produced without paint was a liability.
This helmet is a fine Vietnam War issued example and still retains most of its original period parts, and the shell has the original Green finish. The helmet's heat lot code is I 2534, which indicates manufacture by Ingersoll Rand Products, who produced a total of 3,174,296 helmet shells between 1965-1968 during the Vietnam Period.
It is equipped with a standard USMC Reversible Camouflage cover, which has a contract date code for 1964. It is held in place by the elastic band that retains the cover. The helmet, cover, shell, and liner are all correct for a Vietnam war helmet.
The helmet comes complete with high pressure Vietnam War era liner, which is embossed with US 142 inside the crown, along with some mold ID numbers. The liner does not have a frontal eyelet, indicating that it is a post Korean war manufacture. A new suspension system for the M1 Helmet Liner was introduced in 1964. The new system featured three webbing straps that could each be adjusted to hold the liner at the right height on the head. The liner also had a new neck band assembly, which consisted of a rectangular webbed body with three straps that attached to small buckles inside the liner. The P64 Infantry liner was also the first version not to have a leather chin strap.
Between 1964 and 1969 the new helmet liner was made from laminated cotton duck. However, the P64 liner was also produced in laminated high strength nylon fabric between 1964 and 1974. The nylon helmet liner offered improved ballistic protection and was 2 to 3 oz heavier than the cotton duck version.
The included USMC reversible camouflage cover is in very good service worn condition, complete with the elastic securing band. There is a bit of wear through around the edges, and overall fading, typical of a cover that saw actual service in the field.
One of the tabs on the bottom of the cover is marked:
COVER HELMET CAMOUFLAGE
DSA-1-4540-64-C
8415-261-6833
These helmets have become increasingly difficult to find in recent years, especially genuine Vietnam War issue ones from the USMC. Ready to add to your collection and display!
- This product is available for international shipping.
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