Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a genuine late WWII Issue U.S. Army M1 Helmet, with a very nice WWII Issue liner. 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 faintly stamped heat-lot stamped with 904A, which indicates the approximate manufacture date of May - June 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. 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.

The early M-1 helmet shells had a set of fixed (static) 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). In October 1943, issues with the fixed bales breaking off resulted in a change to the "swivel bales" that this helmet has.

This helmet is a fine example and still retains all of its original WWII parts and the shell has all original "corked" grain paint, though overall it is somewhat dirty, with a brownish color. It features a correct front seam and swivel bails. The chin strap is the correct mid war OD Green #3 with stamped steel hardware. Interestingly, it looks like the rim, while a front seam, may be manganese steel, and not stainless. Definitely worth some further research!

The liner is correct “high pressure” WWII issue and stamped with an F logo over 49 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 liner was at some point fitted with the extra female snap and risers for the paratrooper chin strap. The color indicates this was done late or post war.

This true US WWII M-1 helmet liner be identified through the frontal eyelet hole. Other correct WW2 features include cotton herringbone twill (HBT) cloth suspension liner, with the webbing in very good shape. 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 is unfortunately completely missing.  The liner chin strap is missing, which was not uncommon, as it was rarely used.

An excellent genuine WWII issue helmet, in very good shape with a converted paratrooper liner. Ready to display!