Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a nice identified example of a genuine WWII Front-Seam Fixed Bale M1 Helmet made by McCord Radiator, fitted with a liner by MSA. This helmet is a rather rare example as the shell bears a painted yellow band around the circumference. These markings indicate that the wearer was a Harbor Master, and our research into the wearer, Peter Edward LeVan, confirms this. 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.
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 helmet is heat lot stamped with 208B further identifying this helmet as being early 1942 produced. It is however quite worn, so this is definitely a helmet that saw long service.
This good condition M1 shell originally had correct early war fixed chinstrap loops, called "bales," and a stainless steel rim with a front seam. Both of the original chinstrap bales have broken off of the shell completely. 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. The shell has several “stress-cracks” as shown which add to the character and patina.
The helmet is missing the chinstrap as shown, due to the loss of the chinstrap bales. The front of the shell is stenciled P.E. LEVAN / U.S. NAVY, identifying the helmet to Peter Edward LeVan. Newspaper articles confirm that LeVan served as a “Chief Carpenter’s Mate” and later “Chief Petty Officer” with the Seabees at the Naval Operating Base at Londonderry, Northern Ireland. He was a construction field engineer in civilian life, enlisting in the Navy in July 1942. When we received the helmet, we were told that there was research done on LeVan that connected him to the D-Day landings, but we haven’t been able to find this information, so it’s likely still out there somewhere.
The correct "high pressure" style M-1 Helmet liner was manufactured by Mine Safety Appliances of Evans City, Pennsylvania, as identified by an embossed stylized MSA logo 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 liner is in rough condition overall with some of the suspension ripped off, and the liner chinstrap is missing entirely.
This is a very lovely early-issued M1 helmet identified to a Harbor Master in the U.S. Navy. Also included are some pages of preliminary research. Comes ready for further research and display.
- This product is available for international shipping.
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