Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a Mid-War M1 Helmet produced by Schlueter, complete with its original Firestone liner. It is in very nice shape, and both the shell and liner are marked on the front with the two bars of a Captain rank officer. Both are also marked 6847 with white paint on the right inside, indicating that these are a matched set, together since their service in WWII!
In World War II the production of the M1 helmet began in June 1941 and ceased in September 1945. The total production of M-1 helmet shells during the war reached 22,000,000. Of these about 20,000,000 were produced by the main contractor McCord Radiator and Manufacturing Company of Detroit. Although McCord was supposed to be the single source of M-1 helmet shells, by the summer of 1942 a second company was enlisted to help the production effort. This was Schlueter Manufacturing of St. Louis, Missouri.
Schlueter began production of its M-1 helmet shells in January 1943. Schlueter produced only 2,000,000 M-1 helmet shells during the war (both fixed and swivel). They placed an "S" stamp on their helmet shells above their "heat temperature stamp". Aside from the markings, there are some subtle differences between a McCord and Schlueter M-1 helmet shell. This can be found on the rims. A Schlueter helmet shell has a much straighter profile than the classic McCord brim. Also the weld marks for the fixed bales and rim are small and round on a Schlueter, while they are oval and wide for a McCord.
The steel shell on this fine example is stamped 256A along with a large S, indicating Schlueter manufacture and dating from early to mid 1944, when the manganese rim was introduced. M-1 helmet shell originally had a stainless steel rim with seam in the front. Stainless steel 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 1944, due to issues with paint flaking off the bright stainless steel, the rim was changed to use non-magnetic manganese steel, which retained the paint and was not shiny. Shortly after this in November 1944 the switch was made to rear seams.
This helmet features the correct front seam stainless steel rim and mid war production swivel bales, and still retains all of its original WWII parts with some light wear from service. The exterior still has the original "corked grain" OD Green paint retained well, with areas of light wear. There are no dents or deformation we can see, though there definitely is some dust and dirt on the inside of the shell. The shell strap is the correct OD Green #3 from a mid war helmet, with a stamped steel buckle. It shows only light wear, and is really in great shape.
The liner is the correct “high pressure” WWII issue and stamped with an F "Shield" logo over A 14 for the FIRESTONE TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY Manufactured in Akron, Ohio this “high pressure” manufactured M-1 helmet liner is identified by an embossed “F” in the crown. Firestone Tire and Rubber Company started M-1 helmet liner delivery to the US Army in September 1942. They produced approximately 7,500,000 M-1 helmet liners and 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 worn condition, with some areas having small tears. 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 shows wear, and is completely torn through at the front. The liner chin strap is present, but torn through on one end, and is in delicate condition.
This is definitely a liner that saw use during the war, and looks to have been exposed to dirt and moisture during service, and possibly afterwards. We have left this intact to preserve the wonderful "service worn" look that the interior has.
Schlueter helmets have become extremely difficult to find in recent years, especially genuine front seam examples with rank markings. Almost certainly to appreciate in value year after year.
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