Original U.S. WWII M1 McCord Fixed Bale Front Seam Helmet with Net and 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 an excellent example and still retains most of its original WW2 parts and the shell has all original "corked" grain finish with front seam and fixed bails. The helmet appears to have been repainted post war. It has the original correct sewn on chinstrap with a stamped steel buckle (chin straps were fitted at arsenal after the shell was produced). It also has a brown helmet net.
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 17. 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 a truly excellent condition MSA liner.
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 system. The HBT suspension is held within the M-1 helmet liner by rivets and a series of triangular "A" washers. The leather is absent.
These helmets have become increasingly difficult to find in recent years, especially genuine WW2 issue liners with the correct HBT straps. Almost certainly to appreciate in value year after year!
- This product is available for international shipping.
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