{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-m1-c-paratrooper-rear-seam-swivel-bale-helmet-with-jump-liner-by-firestone","title":"Original U.S. WWII M1-C Paratrooper Rear Seam Swivel Bale Helmet with Jump Liner by Firestone","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. Only One Available. This is an exceedingly scarce WWII M1-C Paratrooper helmet in full World War II Configuration, without any post-war modifications. These are exceptionally difficult to find in any condition, and this one has both the correct shell \u0026amp; liner, with the snaps on the helmet chinstrap to attach to the liner. This M1-C paratrooper helmet is what would have been used during WWII by members of the various Parachute Infantry Regiments towards the end of WWII.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eM1Cs were a variant of the U.S. Army’s popular and iconic M1 helmet developed in WWII to replace the M2 helmet. There were several differences between the M1 and M2 including the bales (chin strap hinges). The M2 had fixed, spot welded “D” bales, so named because of the shape they took. It was found that these bales broke when sat down or dropped. It was refitted to use the swivel bales, which could be moved around and was therefore less prone to breaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe M-1C helmet retains its original cork grain paint and swivel bale chinstrap loops. It also has original shuttle loom sewn chinstraps set with original hardware and snaps. The shell does not have a heat lot stamp that we can find, but it was likely made by McCord Radiator and Manufacturing Company of Detroit Michigan. The shell itself shows heavy signs of use and wear, all evident signs of a long life of military use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe liner is a converted Firestone liner which was done at an arsenal to add the A yokes on the sides. Westinghouse was the only company that produced “ready made” paratrooper liner. The liner is the correct “high pressure” WWII issue and stamped with an F logo over 37 for the\u003cstrong\u003e FIRESTONE TIRE \u0026amp; RUBBER COMPANY\u003c\/strong\u003e. Manufactured in Akron, Ohio this “high pressure” manufactured M-1 helmet liner is identified by an embossed “F” in the crown. Firestone Tire and Rubber Company started M-1 helmet liner delivery to the US Army in September 1942. They produced approximately 7,500,000 M-1 helmet liners and discontinued production around August 17 1945 when the war ended. The liner outer paint is nice, and does not appear to have been repainted. There is a \u003cstrong\u003ecrack \u003c\/strong\u003eat the front of the liner as shown, about 1 ⅛” long.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis true US WWII M-1 helmet liner can be identified through the frontal eyelet hole. Other correct WWII features include OD Green #3 cotton herringbone twill (HBT) cloth suspension liner, with the webbing in good shape. This HBT suspension is held tightly within the M-1 helmet liner by rivets and a series of triangular \"A\" washers. The three upper suspension bands are joined together with the correct string. This way the wearer could adjust the fit. The sweatband is still present, showing moderate use and staining. The leather chinstrap is still present and in one piece, and the A-Yokes are in good shape with a period canvas chincup still in place. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParatrooper helmets and liners are the hardest to find of all WWII M1 helmets. This fine example is almost certainly to appreciate in value year after year!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eM1C Helmet\u003cbr\u003eThe M1C helmet was a variant of the U.S. Army's popular and iconic M1 helmet. Developed in World War II to replace the earlier M2 helmet, it was not made available until issued to paratroopers in January of 1945. It was different from the M2 in various ways, most importantly its bails (chinstrap hinges). The M2 had fixed, spot welded \"D\" bales so named for their shape, similar to early M1s. It was found that when sat on or dropped, these bails would snap off. The solution was the implementation of the swivel bail, which could move around and so was less susceptible to breaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike the M2, its most visible difference from the standard infantry M1 helmet was the liner. The liner of the M1C, like most paratrooper liners, had a set of \"A yokes\" or straps fixed to the side of the liner to enable the use of a four-point chinstrap with leather chin cup to give support to the head and neck and prevent adverse movement during jumps. It used a simple but strong and reliable belt loop-type connection to secure the chinstrap to the a-yokes, which could be opened or closed from either side and thus partially removed without tools. This retention system was not significantly different to the M2's, and the normal infantry chinstrap could still be attached to the helmet shell if desired. Often, however, these modified liners could not be manufactured in time for jumps so they were modified by the soldiers themselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother difference of the M1C was the chinstraps (this was seen on the M2). The chinstraps found on the M2 and M1C both had a button snap on the end so as to be fastened to the liner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite the numerous differences between the M1C and the standard M1 helmet, the shell of the M1C is practically identical to standard swivel bail infantry helmets, making a concrete identification of a helmet as an M1C difficult. There's an argument to be made that the important part of an M1C is actually just a liner with the four-point chinstrap that can slip into any M1 helmet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe M1C would continue in US service after World War II, with a new split-fabric chinstrap introduced between the Korean War and the Vietnam War not dissimilar to the one seen on the later PASGT helmet, but retaining the belt loop-style chinstrap connection. The M1C would remain in service until the adoption of PASGT, though the M1C would remain a fairly uncommon sight after Korea. They do turn up in various non-airborne units in Vietnam photography, however, suggesting that outside of jump-rated units they were treated like any other M1 and that they were perhaps more common than some thought.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45371482832965,"sku":"ONAC23234","price":1495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ECA1C4BB-5B05-4494-A15F-C521EC9568E3.jpg?v=1784302164","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-m1-c-paratrooper-rear-seam-swivel-bale-helmet-with-jump-liner-by-firestone","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}