Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a genuine WWII Front-Seam Fixed Bale M1 Helmet made by McCord Radiator, reissued for use during the Korean war. It features a Korean War issue Westinghouse liner in great condition with decals for the 130 Infantry Regiment (right side) and the 33rd Infantry Brigade (left side).

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. This helmet is heat lot stamped 25E which indicates the approximate manufacture date of February 1942.

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.

This fantastic condition M1 shell has correct early war fixed chinstrap loops called "bales" and a stainless steel rim with a front 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 helmet shell is a fine example and still retains most of its original WW2 parts and the shell has all original "corked" grain paint, though it definitely has seen use, and the cork is worn and chipped off in places. Also it looks like it was repainted when reissued. Featured on the front of both the liner and shell is a set of Captain’s bars.

The liner is a correct “high pressure” liner by Westinghouse and dates to late Korean War and does not feature the grommet hole on the front. These "high pressure" manufactured M-1 helmet liners are 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. Westinghouse did have a contract to produce airborne liners and converted an unknown amount to airborne configuration. Westinghouse discontinued production around August 17, 1945 when the war ended.

The liner is in good condition but does show signs of heavy wear. The rear webbing for the nape strap is completely torn, the 1955 dated sweatband is nice and dark from sweat stains and the leather liner chin strap, although present, is torn in multiple spots and is rather delicate.

A very nice M1 helmet from the Korean War, comes more than ready for display.

130th Infantry Regiment

The 130th Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment in the Army National Guard. It is one of several Army National Guard units with campaign credit for the War of 1812.

33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Tea

The 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team is a unit of the Illinois Army National Guard, which perpetuates the history of the 33rd Infantry Division. Known as the 66th Infantry Brigade until 2005, it is one of the brigades of the 35th Infantry Division. The brigade was re-activated under the Transformation of the United States Army and subordinated to the Illinois Army National Guard. The 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team deployed to Afghanistan in December 2008 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and re-deployed in August 2009.

The post-World War II reorganization of the Army National Guard included the 33rd and 44th Infantry Divisions as Illinois-based units.

The 44th Infantry Division was inactivated in 1954, following its return from its mobilization for the Korean War.

The 33rd Infantry Division continued until 1968, when it was inactivated as part of a National Guard force reduction. The 33rd Infantry Brigade was then created as a non-divisional organization.

The 66th Infantry Brigade, which had been part of the 44th Division and then the 33rd, continued in service as an Illinois organization assigned to the 47th Infantry Division.[5] The 47th Division was inactivated in 1991, and the 66th Brigade was assigned to the 34th Infantry Division.

In 1997, the 66th Brigade was reassigned to the 35th Infantry Division.

As part of the Army's conversion to modular divisions and brigades in 2005, the separate 33rd Infantry Brigade was inactivated. The 66th Brigade was re-flagged as the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, which continued to be aligned with the 35th Division.