Item:
ONJR22SS017

Original U.S. WWII Early M1 McCord Front Seam Fixed Bale Helmet with Rare Inland Liner

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice service worn example of a genuine early WWII Issue U.S. Army M1 Helmet, with a nice helmet net. 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, however we cannot find one due to the liner rub marks and how lightly stamped it was. The fixed bales and front seam paired with exterior “ripples”, this is a strong indicator of early war produced helmets. There is rippling but no stress cracks have formed.

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. Although McCord was supposed to be the single source of M-1 helmet shells, by the summer of 1942 a second company was enlisted to help the production effort. This was Schlueter Manufacturing of St. Louis, Missouri. Schlueter began production of its M-1 helmet shells in January 1943. Schlueter produced only 2,000,000 M-1 helmet shells during the war (both fixed and swivel).

The early M-1 helmet shells such as this example have 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".

This helmet is a fine example and still retains all of its original WWII parts and the shell has all original "corked" grain paint with front seam and fixed bails. The chin strap is the correct early war OD Green #3 with stamped brass hardware.

The correct "high pressure" style M-1 Helmet liner was manufactured in Dayton, Ohio by the Inland Manufacturing Division, as indicated by the embossed INLAND logo inside the crown. It is also marked with mold number 55. This company started M-1 helmet liner delivery to the US Army in September 1942. They produced approximately 1,900,000 M-1 helmet liners and converted about 75,000 liners to airborne configuration. Inland Manufacturing discontinued M-1 helmet liner production in 1943 when their manufacturing services were deemed better used elsewhere.

This true US WWII M-1 helmet liner can 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 solid but service worn shape, with a good amount of staining and some flaking, as shown. This HBT suspension is held 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 complete, however is almost black in color, having deteriorated a lot due to sweat and oils. The original leather liner chin strap is also present and in solid condition.

An excellent genuine WWII issue helmet, with lots of honest service wear. Ready to display!

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