Item: ONSV21BCD7
Original U.S. WWII Front Seam Fixed Bale McCord M1 Helmet With Theater Painted MSA Helmet Liner
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Original Item: Only One Available. This is a beautiful example of a service worn example of an M1 helmet. The best feature with this helmet is the hand painted USMC style camouflage on the outside of the MSA liner. We say Marine Corps style because there are no markings inside or out, indicating this was used by a Marine, the camo just bears striking similarities.
The U.S. WWII M-1 helmet was only produced from 1941 to 1945. 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 later M-1 helmet shells had 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).
This helmet is a fine example and still retains all of its original WW2 parts and the shell has all original "corked" grain paint. It features a front seam and fixed bales, features which indicate pre-1944 production. The shell has a heat lot number of 730A and puts production sometime in November 1943.
Manufactured in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this “high pressure” manufactured M-1 helmet liner can be identified by the embossed MSA in the crown. Mine Safety Appliance 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.
The helmet shell has some minor surface rust in spots around the outside and along the bales, but nothing damaging. The liner however has a rather poor condition suspension system. It shows signs of heavy wear and use with some tearing around the “A” washers, one finger of which is ripped from the washer itself. There is no leather chinstrap, but the garter hooks are still present on the lugs. The leather sweatband has deteriorated over the years, but it does display sweat stains, indicating that it was in fact used. There is some oxidation present on the A washers as well as the garter hooks, chinstrap lugs and on the sweatband clips as well.
There is no denying that this is a genuine WW2 service worn American M1 helmet. The Marine or Soldier who wore this helmet and liner, took great care in their tactical appearance and the ability to better conceal themselves in vegetation.
Comes ready to display in your War Rooms!
Military Camouflage Use
Military camouflage is the use of camouflage by an armed force to protect personnel and equipment from observation by enemy forces. In practice, this means applying color and materials to military equipment of all kinds, including vehicles, ships, aircraft, gun positions and battledress, either to conceal it from observation (crypsis), or to make it appear as something else (mimicry). The French slang word camouflage came into common English usage during World War I when the concept of visual deception developed into an essential part of modern military tactics. In that war, long-range artillery and observation from the air combined to expand the field of fire, and camouflage was widely used to decrease the danger of being targeted or to enable surprise. As such, military camouflage is a form of military deception.
Camouflage was first practiced in simple form in the mid 18th century by rifle units. Their tasks required them to be inconspicuous, and they were issued green and later other drab color uniforms. With the advent of longer range and more accurate weapons, especially the repeating rifle, camouflage was adopted for the uniforms of all armies, spreading to most forms of military equipment including ships and aircraft. Many modern camouflage textiles address visibility not only to visible light but also near infrared, for concealment from night vision devices. Camouflage is not only visual; heat, sound, magnetism and even smell can be used to target weapons, and may be intentionally concealed. Some forms of camouflage have elements of scale invariance, designed to disrupt outlines at different distances, typically digital camouflage patterns made of pixels. Camouflage patterns also have cultural functions such as political identification.
Camouflage for equipment and positions was extensively developed for military use by the French in 1915, soon followed by other World War I armies. In both world wars, artists were recruited as camouflage officers. Ship camouflage developed via conspicuous dazzle camouflage schemes during WWI, but since the development of radar, ship camouflage has received less attention. Aircraft, especially in World War II, were often countershaded: painted with different schemes above and below, to camouflage them against the ground and sky respectively.
Military camouflage patterns have been popular in fashion and art from as early as 1915. Camouflage patterns have appeared in the work of artists such as Andy Warhol and Ian Hamilton Finlay, sometimes with an anti-war message. In fashion, many major designers have exploited camouflage's style and symbolism, and military clothing or imitations of it have been used both as street wear and as a symbol of political protest.
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