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 is a great example which appears to be an original WWII helmet front seam fixed bale shell with a re-depoted Westinghouse liner and Mitchell camouflage cover. These helmets were continuously reissued into the Korean War and Vietnam War period. 

It is equipped with a standard Reversible Camouflage cover, which has a contract code but no date. It no longer retains the elastic band but this isn’t uncommon to see missing. The graffiti that is present on the cover is entirely original to the helmet, and includes the inscriptions “Combat Kelly” and 1 “Night Jump” along with a very small peace sign. These were likely drawn so small so that the C.O. would not notice.

The U.S. WWII M-1 helmet was only produced from 1941 to 1945. The first production batch resulted with over 323,510 M-1 helmets before the start of the American involvement in the war. We were unable to view the heat lot stamp on the interior of the shell. The construction does appear to be a McCord manufactured helmet.

The Ordnance Department selected McCord Radiator and Manufacturing Company of Detroit Michigan to produce the steel M1 helmet bodies. These bodies were made from a single piece of Hadfield Manganese steel that was produced by the Carnegie-Illinois & Sharon Steel Corporations. Each completed raw M-1 helmet shell weighed 2.25 lbs each.

This very good condition M1 shell has correct mid war swivel chinstrap loops, called "bales," and a stainless steel rim with a front fully welded seam. These rims were both rust resistant and had "non-magnetic qualities" that reduced the chance of error readings when placed around certain sensitive equipment (such as a compass). In November 1944 the specification was changed to have the rim seam in the rear of the helmet.

The shell has the name CLARENCE SINGLETON and number written on the interior of the shell. There is no heat lot stamp we can find. The original khaki stamped brass chinstrap has an inscription, J. BOGLIOLI 20204798, possibly a Korean War era inscription.

The liner is correct high pressure WWII issue and stamped with a W for the Westinghouse Electric Co Manufactured in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this "high pressure" manufactured M-1 helmet liner is 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.

The interior has clean OD7 Olive Drab HBT Webbing secured by blacked “A”-Washers. The sweatband and liner chinstrap are long gone. The sides of the liner have applied decals for the 314th Infantry Regiment on one side and U.S. Central Command on the other side. There is heavy wear to the paint and liner overall. 

A great example, ready for display.