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 the produced without paint was a liability.
This helmet is a fine Vietnam War reissued example and still retains most of its original period parts, and the shell has the original Green finish. The helmet is actually a really nice example of a late 1944 produced helmet shell by McCord. The shell has markings and insignia painted for use by an MP with the 512th Military Police Battalion along with an applied distinctive unit insignia decal on the right side of the shell.
The helmet comes complete with high pressure Vietnam War era liner, which is embossed with 7 - inside the crown. 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. This looks to be the version made from cotton duck, and it still has an original sweatband in very good condition, though the rear neck band is missing.
An overall attractive example that comes more than ready for further research and display.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
