Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice and substantially complete WWII U.S. M1 helmet with a McCord front seam swivel bale shell, International Molded Plastics high pressure liner, and an especially interesting period applied tan “sand” camouflage finish. The shell shows substantial service wear beneath and through the camouflage and retains a clear 930F heat lot marking. With its WWII chinstraps, front seam construction, original cork textured finish beneath the tan overpaint, and complete liner assembly, this is an attractive combat helmet with a strong field used appearance.

The M1 helmet became the standard American combat helmet of WWII, with McCord Radiator and Manufacturing Company of Detroit, Michigan serving as the principal wartime shell manufacturer. More than 22 million M1 helmet shells were manufactured during WWII, with McCord accounting for the overwhelming majority. The steel shell was formed from nonmagnetic Hadfield manganese steel and fitted with a separate removable liner.

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 entire exterior shell was painted during the period with a tan “sand” colored paint, which itself shows heavy wear.

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. This way the wearer could adjust the fit. The original leather chin strap is present but heavily cracking, but still stretched taut over the brim. The liner shows honest period wear, and the sweatband has a laundry number, J9908, written on.

Condition throughout is consistent with a helmet that has seen considerable use. The tan camouflage shows heavy wear, the underlying shell finish is exposed in places, and the leather chinstrap is heavily cracked. At the same time, the helmet retains a particularly strong group of original wartime features, including its 930F McCord shell, front seam stainless rim, swivel bales, OD #7 shell chinstraps, period tan camouflage, IMP high pressure liner, frontal eyelet, HBT suspension, leather liner chinstrap, and laundry number.

The combination of the worn sand colored camouflage and substantially complete wartime shell and liner gives this example considerably more visual interest than an ordinary unpainted M1. The International Molded Plastics “little man” liner, clear 930F heat lot, front seam swivel bale configuration, surviving chinstrap systems, and identifiable laundry number all add collector value and research potential. It would display especially well in a collection focused on U.S. WWII combat helmets, field applied camouflage, M1 manufacturing variations, or original service used American equipment.