Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. The M1 helmet is a combat helmet that was used by the United States military from World War II until 1985, when it was succeeded by the PASGT helmet. For over forty years, the M1 was standard issue for the U.S. military. The M1 helmet has become an icon of the American military, with its design inspiring other militaries around the world.
Vietnam War era M-1 helmet shells have a set of swivel (movable) 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).
This helmet is a fine example and still retains all of its original Vietnam War parts and the shell has all original corked grain paint. The cover appears to have been matched with the helmet for quite some time but does not have the same “molded” appearance as war time matched examples.
The liner is a WWII era "high pressure" style M-1 Helmet liner manufactured in Dayton, Ohio by Inland Manufacturing Division, as indicated by the embossed INLAND logo inside the crown. It is also marked with mold number 29. 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 service worn shape, with a good amount of staining and some tearing, as shown. This HBT suspension is held within the M-1 helmet liner by rivets and a series of triangular "A" washers, though it has torn away in one area. 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 it appears to be a much later replacement. The liner chin strap is completely absent, very common on helmets with this amount of wear. The outside of the liner was repainted at some point with a forest green type color and 40th Armored Division decals were applied to both sides.
The shell chin strap is original, and the Mitchell Pattern Cover is original and in very good condition. It has some stains and small holes around the edge, but is definitely solid. It is marked on the underside of one of the flaps but is extremely faded and difficult to read.
A lovely example ready for display.
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