Original Item: Only One Available. This is perhaps one of the nicest examples of a straight early WWII US Marine Corps M1 Helmet. This helmet features an iconic early 1st Pattern Helmet Cover that shows signs of honest period use, and most importantly, it never had a USMC Eagle/Globe/Anchor Insignia stenciled on, which was usually done in the post wra years. The Helmet is complete with liner, sweatband, nape strap, and early liner chinstrap with green painted buckle.

This is a very nice example of a genuine WWII Front-Seam Fixed Bale M1 Helmet made by McCord Radiator, with a Westinghouse liner and 1st Pattern USMC cover. 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 “59C” which indicates the approximate manufacture date between January and April, 1942.

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 M1 shell has correct early war fixed 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 is a fine example and still retains all of its original WWII parts, and the shell has all original "corked" grain paint, showing signs of having a USMC depot repaint to the exterior in the typical USMC Forest Green paint often observed on WWII US Marine Corps used helmets. There is also the usual wear on the stainless steel rim with minor deformities. The helmet has the correct early WWII khaki chinstraps fitted with thick heavy cast brass buckle hardware.

The included USMC reversible camouflage cover is in very good condition which still retains vibrant coloration. There is no stenciled EGA present, a common sight to see on these covers. This stamping on the covers was done post war and into the Korean War, meaning this either escaped that fate or was never used post WWII. This is of the early first pattern variety which was not fitted with slots on the surface for foliage. Needless to say, these covers are seldom found today, as many were used and subsequently worn out during WWII. Interestingly, the Marine who wore this helmet drew a cartoon of a Marine wearing a helmet, along with an illuminated crucifix on the brown side of the helmet cover. The artwork is done with what appears to be fountain pen and felt paint pen.

The liner is correct "high pressure" WWII issue and stamped with a W for the Westinghouse Electric Co Manufactured in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this "high pressure" manufactured M-1 helmet liner is identified by an embossed "W" in the crown (which is still Westinghouse's logo to this day). Westinghouse was the largest M-1 helmet liner producer and had two production divisions; Micarta and Bryant Electric. The Micarta Division produced about 13,000,000 M-1 helmet liners and the Bryant Electric Division about 10,000,000. Westinghouse Electric Company started M-1 helmet liner delivery in May 1942. Westinghouse did have a contract to produce airborne liners and converted an unknown amount to airborne configuration. Westinghouse 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 very good shape, with a bit of staining from the fittings. 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 signs of minimal wear. The liner chin strap is present and solid.

The helmet comes complete with a M1 Liner Chinstrap of the early variety with green-painted hardware, which are not almost impossible to find. The chinstrap still retains its original bright russet color, and is still pliable.

An excellent, genuine early WWII issue helmet that comes complete, ready to be researched and displayed!