Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice early example of a genuine very early production WWII Front-Seam Fixed Bale M1 Helmet made by McCord Radiator, with an extremely rare Hawley pressed paper liner, which is complete with sweatband and liner chin strap, a very rare thing to see.

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. This helmet is heat-lot stamped 19 D, a very low number which indicates the approximate manufacture date of November/December 1941, shortly before the U.S. entered into WWII. This is most likely the lowest heat lot number we have ever seen!

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.

The early M-1 helmet shells had a set of fixed chinstrap loops called "bales" and a stainless steel rim. 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).

This helmet is a fine example and still retains all of its original WW2 parts and the shell has all original "corked" grain paint with front seam and fixed bails. The chin strap is the correct OD Green #3 with blacked brass cast hardware.

Condition of the shell is quite nice and the paint retained very well. There is some minor rust damage on the inside and outside, but nothing major. The shell does have rippling with a few stress cracks in the rear, common due to the "high dome" design of the M1. Only very early helmets show these kinds of manufacturing issues, which were ironed out as the war progressed. As with most, the paint on the edge of the stainless steel rim is mostly worn away.

The liner is in very good condition, which is somewhat rare, as the Hawley liners were made of paper, and unfortunately not nearly as resistant to wear as the "high-pressure" type. Often they were replaced and discarded during the war. As with most, the edge area is damaged, with wear and cracking of the cardboard, as shown. There is also the usual deformation in areas due to the paper construction.

Unlike most Hawley liners we have seen, this example has the same OD Green #3 HBT webbing suspension seem on the later low and high pressure liners. Usually these had the early pattern rayon linings. We do not know if this liner was retrofitted, or originally made this way. Due to how fragile they are, we assume it must be original production, as there would be little use to retrofitting one of these. The top tie string to adjust the fit is still present, and the sweatband is as well, though the leather is torn through in many places, and quite degraded. The leather liner chin strap is unfortunately missing.

This is definitely a helmet that saw use during the war, but was not abused, giving it that great worn look. This would make a worthy addition to any WWII or Helmet collection. Rare HAWLEY paper liners are always in demand!

Ready to display!

Features a RARE Hawley Liner:
The shape and characteristics of the Hawley liner were identical to those of the fiberglass counterpart. The differences were the material of construction and the absence from the front metal grommet, which is where insignia could be placed. The suspension was made of a series of canvas straps. The sweatband has a leather cover. The whole assembly was riveted to the body of the liner. Small buckles were provided to adjust the suspension. However, doing so was difficult and very clumsy. The Hawley liner was issued in very small numbers during the early days of World War Two.