{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-m1-mccord-fixed-bale-front-seam-helmet-with-westinghouse-rayon-suspension-liner","title":"Original U.S. WWII M1 McCord Fixed Bale Front Seam Helmet with Westinghouse Rayon Suspension Liner","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic example of a genuine WWII U.S. Front-Seam Fixed Bale M1 Helmet made by McCord Radiator, with a Westinghouse \"high-pressure\" fiber liner and early Rayon Suspension. \u003c\/span\u003eThe 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, however it is quite faint so we cannot make out the full number.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 \u0026amp; Sharon Steel Corporations. Each completed raw M-1 helmet shell weighed 2.25 lbs each.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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). The tack welds on the front seam are large ovals, which combined with the shape of the helmet definitely indicates that this is a McCord shell. Schlueter used small circular welds on their seams.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis helmet is a fine example and still retains all of its original WWII parts and the shell has all original \"corked\" grain paint with front seam and fixed bails. The chin strap is the early style correct OD Green #3 with cast blacked brass hardware.  There is also still a lot of paint on the Stainless Steel rim, which was prone to wear. The shell does have a few stress cracks, common due to the \"high dome\" design of the M1. It is fitted with a very nice faded helmet net.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe liner is correct \"high pressure\" WWII issue and stamped with a \u003cstrong\u003eW\u003c\/strong\u003e for the Westinghouse Electric Co Manufactured in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this \"high pressure\" manufactured M-1 helmet liner is 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis true US WWII M-1 helmet liner be identified through the frontal eyelet hole. Other correct WWII features include an early white rayon cloth suspension liner, which only occurred in 1943, during the changeover from the high to low pressure liners. The white rayon is in very good shape, with the usual age toning. It is also personalized with \u003cstrong\u003eJ. D. V. \/ 37300123\u003c\/strong\u003e, the initials and serial number of the wearer. We were not able to locate the name of this person, and leave it as a great research project.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn rayon liners, the webbing is held in place by rectangular washers, as opposed to the usual \"A\" washers.. The three upper suspension bands are joined together with the correct white cotton string. This way the wearer could adjust the fit. The sweatband is still present, showing moderate use and staining. It is backed with HBT fabric, as is the rear support, which is common. The leather liner chin strap is fully intact, which is a rarity, and is the correct fixed type for a rayon liner. This is something we very rarely see.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA very nice genuine mid war WWII issue helmet with some rare features, perfect for any collection! Ready to display!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":31868987048005,"sku":"ONSV7104","price":695.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ONSV7104__03.jpg?v=1601060213","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-m1-mccord-fixed-bale-front-seam-helmet-with-westinghouse-rayon-suspension-liner","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}