Item:
ON1649

Original U.S. WWII M1 McCord Fixed Bale Front Seam Named Helmet with BiColor Camouflage Net MSA Liner

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. 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 has fixed bales and a front rim seam, which along with the flat stamped brass chinstrap buckle, indicates production at the end of 1943.

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 early M-1 helmet shells had a set of fixed 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 most of its original WW2 parts and the shell has all original "corked" grain paint with front seam and fixed bails. It has the original correct sewn on chinstrap with a stamped brass buckle, correct for the early 1944 production period (chin straps were fitted at arsenal after the shell was produced). It also has a great green and brown bicolor helmet net, the first that we have had. Even the drawstring is two colors. The condition is good, though it has suffered wear and tear through service and age.

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. It is also marked with mold number 6. 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. This is the first MSA liner that we have had. The front of this liner is personalized with the Soldier's last name MACKINNON, which was also written on the back but rubbed off.

This true US WWII M-1 helmet liner be identified through the frontal eyelet hole. Other correct WW2 features include cotton herringbone twill (HBT) cloth suspension, though it is sadly mostly missing. The remains HBT suspension is held within the M-1 helmet liner by rivets and a series of triangular "A" washers, which have rusted. The original leather chinstrap however is intact, though the leather is somewhat dry.

These helmets have become increasingly difficult to find in recent years, especially genuine WW2 issue liners with the correct HBT straps wartime dated. Almost certainly to appreciate in value year after year!

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