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 Schlueter-Made helmet has swivel bales, a flat steel chinstrap, and a front rim seam, as well as a scarce NCO “Invasion Bar” painted on the back of the shell.
Schlueter began production of its M-1 helmet shells in January 1943. Schlueter produced only 2,000,000 M-1 helmet shells during the war (both fixed and swivel). They placed an "S" stamp on their helmet shells above their "heat temperature stamp". Aside from the markings, there are some subtle differences between a McCord and Schlueter M-1 helmet shell. This can be found on the rims. A Schlueter helmet shell has a much straighter profile than the classic McCord brim. Also the weld marks on the rim are small and round on a Schlueter, while they are oval and wide for a McCord.
This Schlueter helmet is a very nice example and still retains original parts and paint. The steel shell is stamped with a large S under heat lot 275A. The number 59 is also stenciled on the interior. The M-1 helmet shell has a stainless steel rim with seam in the front. Stainless steel 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 features correct early front seam and swivel chin strap bales. The helmet has an extremely rare white painted “Invasion Stripe” on the back above the chinstrap as shown.
The liner is a correct "high pressure" style M-1 Helmet liner, which was manufactured by Mine Safety Appliances of Evans City, Pennsylvania. This is identified by an embossed stylized MSA logo in the crown. It is also marked with mold number 20. 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. MSA still exists today, marketing a wide variety of safety equipment.
This true almost excellent condition US WWII M-1 helmet liner be identified through the frontal eyelet hole. Other correct WW2 features include cotton herringbone twill (HBT) cloth suspension. This HBT suspension is held tightly within the M-1 helmet liner by rivets and a series of triangular "A" washers. The Sweatband is intact, and in fantastic condition. The three upper suspension bands are joined together with an OD green tie string. This way the wearer could adjust the fit. The liner chinstrap is fully intact and is in great pliable shape with some verdigris on the fittings. The shell chin strap is original, with some wear, and the correct flat steel hardware.
A fantastic WWII M1 Helmet with an original NCO “Invasion Bar”, ready for further research and display.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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