Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a genuine WWII Front-Seam Swivel Bale M1 Helmet made by McCord Radiator, reissued for use during the Korean war. It features a Korean War issue CAPAC paratrooper liner liner and helmet net with burlap camouflage patches.
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 865A which indicates the approximate manufacture date of March 1944.
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 fantastic condition M1 shell has correct later war swivel (movable) chinstrap loops called "bales" and a stainless steel rim with a front 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.
This helmet shell is a fine example and still retains most of its original WW2 parts and the shell has all original "corked" grain paint, though it definitely has seen use, and the cork is worn and chipped off in places. Also it looks like it was partially repainted when reissued. Included is a very nice Korean War issue helmet net, with various color burlap patches to aid in camouflage.
The liner is correct high pressure 1950s Korean War production liner, and is marked on the top by manufacturer CAPAC. Liners nearly identical in construction to World War II examples were produced between 1951 and 1953 during the Korean War by the Micarta Division of Westinghouse and CAPAC Manufacturing. These liners differ in that color of the HBT webbing was changed from khaki or Olive Drab #3 to a darker green color known as Olive Drab #7. Much later, liners switched to using stronger synthetic webbing and had improved neck support.
The paratrooper rigging is intact and in great shape, with very little wear. It has both the rear support as well as the paratrooper chin strap, which is in addition to the standard chin strap. The regular chin strap is however still the original OD Green #3 WWII Issue, with blacked steel buckles, correct for 1944. It was not changed over to the paratrooper chin strap, so it does not have the snaps to attach to the liner.
A true WWII Issued helmet, reissued for use during the Korean war with a new liner and camouflage netting. Ready to display!
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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