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 the produced without paint was a liability.

This helmet is a fine example and still retains most of its original Vietnam War parts, and the shell has the original dark OD Green finish. It is fitted with a very nice USMC reversible camouflage cover, held in place by the rubber band that retains the cover.

The helmet's heat lot code of I 6232 is partly visible inside the shell, which indicates manufacture by Ingersoll Rand Products, who produced a total of 3,174,296 helmet shells between 1965-1968 during the Vietnam Period. The helmet still has the original OD Green chin strap, with the correct modified buckle implemented during the Korean war and used until M1 helmet production stopped.

The included USMC reversible camouflage cover is in very good service worn condition, complete with the securing band. There is 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
DSA100-75-F-V289
8415-00-261-3833 06
MPLS. SOC. F/T BLIND INC

The liner is correct "high pressure" WWII issue and stamped with a W under mold number 20, 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 true US WWII M-1 helmet liner be identified through the frontal eyelet hole. Other correct WWII features include cotton OD Green #3 herringbone twill (HBT) cloth suspension liner, with the webbing in very good shape, with a bit of age fading. 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 OD green string. This way the wearer could adjust the fit. The sweatband in this helmet is a Vietnam War Era example, and is in very good condition, with little wear of any type.

This is a wonderful example of a Vietnam War M1 helmet. Comes more than ready for display.