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 example is from the Vietnam war era, and the outside of the shell has been painted yellow and red, with SUP BN stenciled on the back. This indicates it was used by one of the many Supply Battalions during the war.
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 all of its original Vietnam War parts and the shell, while painted red and yellow, still has visible textured paint. The helmet's heat lot code is visible, which appears to be I 406, which indicates manufacture by Ingersoll Rand, who produced helmets during the Vietnam Period. The shell chin strap is unfortunately missing.
The liner is correct high pressure late 1960s issue liner, however it definitely has some interesting features that we are not used to seeing. It is marked on the top inside with both the W Westinghouse logo, as well as the CAPAC cross logo, surrounded by a 1967 date. Also, while it does not have a front eyelet hole, the rigging inside looks to be WWII style, in the lighter OD Green #3, and it has a leather liner chin strap. Part of the rigging however is the darker OD #7, so it is possible that this liner was reworked at some point using older parts. The condition is nice, though one end of the leather liner chin strap is broken, and the sweatband is completely missing.
A very interesting Vietnam War Supply Battalion helmet, ready to display!
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