Original U.S. WWII Complete M1 McCord Swivel Bale Front Seam Helmet with Brazed Major’s Insignia & Matching International Molded Plastics Liner
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Original Item: Only One Available. 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 980F, which indicates a 1944 manufacture date.
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). In late 1943, a set of bales which swiveled were introduced, which reduced the risk of breakage like the earlier fixed bales. This particular helmet is of the swivel bale variety, with OD#7 chinstraps fitted with a stamped steel buckle.
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 swivel bails. The front of the helmet has a lovely bronze colored Major’s oak leaf rank insignia that was brazed to the front. The liner has the same insignia attached to the front, making this a fantastic matching set.
The liner is correct high pressure WWII issue and stamped with the International Molded Plastics logo with frontal eyelet. Manufactured in Watertown, Massachusetts this “high pressure” manufactured M-1 helmet liner is identified by an embossed “little man” in a circle in the crown. International Molded Plastics, Inc (IMP) started M-1 helmet liner delivery to the US Army in September 1942. They produced approximately between 2,000,000 – 4,000,000 M-1 helmet liners and discontinued production around August 17, 1945 when the war ended.
This true US WWII M-1 helmet liner can be identified through the frontal eyelet hole. Other correct WW2 features include cotton herringbone twill (HBT) cloth suspension. 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 string, but some of the suspension is ripping as shown. This way the wearer could adjust the fit. The original leather chin strap is present but heavily cracking, and the sweatband shows heavy dry rot damage. There is a lovely Major rank attached to the front of the liner, but it is a bit loose and spins around.
This would make a worthy addition to any WWII or Helmet collection. Ready to display!
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