Original U.S. WWII Front Seam Swivel Bale M1 Helmet with Westinghouse Liner - Post-War 1 Panel Medic Paint
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Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a genuine WWII Front-Seam Swivel Bale M1 Helmet likely made by McCord Radiator, fitted with a very worn liner by the Westinghouse. 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. We were unable to locate the heat lot stamp on this helmet, so we are unsure when it was made and by whom, but the front seam means it was mid-to-late war.
This good condition M1 shell has correct mid war swivel chinstrap loops, called "bales," and a stainless steel rim with a front fully welded 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 example is painted with a single-panel medic scheme, which was likely painted post-war, although we cannot say when. The paint does not glow under UV Light (black light), so it was probably applied in the 1950s-1970s. The entire shell looks to be missing much of its paint. The shell has no chinstrap.
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.
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, but the majority of the suspension is torn away and broken. The liner is in very heavily worn condition with heavy staining on the interior. The sweatband is entirely absent, as is the chinstrap. This liner could use some refurbishment.
This is a good post-war painted single-panel M1 helmet, a good representative example for your collection. Ready to display.
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