{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-early-mccord-fixed-bale-2nd-lieutenant-s-m1-helmet-with-rare-2nd-pattern-hawley-paper-liner","title":"Original U.S. WWII Early McCord Fixed Bale 2nd Lieutenant’s M1 Helmet with Rare 2nd Pattern Hawley Paper Liner","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice early U.S. WWII M1 helmet manufactured by McCord Radiator and Manufacturing Company, complete with a scarce 2nd Pattern Hawley pressed-fiber liner, original leather sweatband, correct khaki chinstrap, and a 2nd Lieutenant bar painted to the front of the shell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe helmet shell is the desirable early front-seam, fixed-bale pattern. It retains its original cork-textured olive drab finish, stainless steel rim, and fixed chinstrap loops. The heat-lot number is stamped: \u003cb\u003e779B\u003c\/b\u003e. This relatively low McCord heat-lot number is consistent with production during approximately mid-1942.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMcCord Radiator and Manufacturing Company of Detroit, Michigan was selected by the U.S. Ordnance Department as the principal manufacturer of M1 helmet shells. The shells were formed from Hadfield manganese steel and fitted with a separate stainless steel rim. Early examples used fixed chinstrap bales before production shifted to swivel bales later in the war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe shell retains all of its original WWII components and shows honest service wear. The exterior has areas of minor denting and heavy wear. There is virtually no paint left on the stainless steel rim, normal to see on these early helmets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original khaki chinstrap remains attached and is fitted with mid-war steel hardware. It shows expected age and service wear but remains an important original feature of the shell. The chinstrap is stamped \u003cb\u003e1900\u003c\/b\u003e, possibly a partial laundry number.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe helmet is fitted with an extremely scarce Hawley pressed-fiber liner. These early liners were manufactured from layers of resin-treated paper or fiber material and were produced in relatively limited numbers before the more durable high-pressure fiber liners became standard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Hawley liner follows the general shape and interior configuration of later M1 liners but lacks the front insignia grommet found on many high-pressure examples. Its suspension is made from a system of canvas web straps riveted directly to the liner body and adjusted with small metal buckles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis liner remains in great displayable condition. The pressed-fiber body shows minor denting, cracking along the body edge, but no serious damage or deformation, rare to see. These liners were far less resistant to moisture, impact, and long-term storage than later types, making complete surviving examples increasingly difficult to find.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe web suspension remains in very nice condition and retains its original internal arrangement and sweatband. The sweatband leather is tearing as shown with one portion already tearing away from one side. The liner chinstrap is present and stretched taut over the front brim, but the finish is wearing away and rubbing off onto the helmet. The interior crown of the liner is inscribed \u003cb\u003eIN\/O JONES or W\/O JONES\u003c\/b\u003e which could denote Warrant Officer Jones. A good research project.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination of the \u003cb\u003eearly McCord fixed-bale shell, front seam, heat lot 779B, painted 2nd Lieutenant bar, original khaki chinstrap, scarce 2nd Pattern Hawley liner, surviving sweatband and liner chinstrap, and JONES interior inscription\u003c\/b\u003e makes this a particularly strong early-war M1 helmet assembly. Its condition, officer insignia, and rare liner give it considerably more interest than a standard enlisted example and make it an excellent candidate for further identification research.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46064037134405,"sku":"ONJR26SEM033","price":1395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/FAF5326B-D62B-4228-A9E8-89F0E6D2A311.jpg?v=1792439969","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-early-mccord-fixed-bale-2nd-lieutenant-s-m1-helmet-with-rare-2nd-pattern-hawley-paper-liner","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}