Original Item. Only One Available. This is a very nice original U.S. WWII McCord M1 helmet with a front seam, swivel bales, and a WWII CAPAC high pressure liner. The shell has been repainted after the war with replicated medic panels and 327th Glider Infantry Regiment airborne markings, including clovers with a tick beneath them on both sides. The later paint has been artificially aged to give the helmet the appearance of wartime use.

The shell was manufactured by the McCord Radiator and Manufacturing Company of Detroit, Michigan, the principal wartime producer of U.S. M1 helmet shells. The interior is heat lot stamped 865E. This heat lot is generally associated with production during approximately March through May 1944.

The shell has a manganese steel rim with the seam positioned at the front. It is also fitted with the swivel chinstrap loops, commonly referred to as bales, that replaced the earlier fixed loop configuration during the war.

The combination of a front seam and swivel bales is consistent with mid-war McCord production. The stainless steel rim was replaced by manganese steel during 1944, and the rim seam was subsequently moved from the front to the rear later that year.

The helmet retains a late war olive drab chinstrap with stamped steel fittings. The exterior has been completely repainted long after WWII. Large medic panels are present on the front and rear. Each side bears a clover insignia associated with the 327th Glider Infantry Regiment, with a tick painted beneath it.

These medic and unit markings are modern reproductions and should not be interpreted as original wartime paint. The finish has been deliberately distressed and aged to create the appearance of period wear.

The helmet is complete with an original WWII high pressure liner manufactured by the CAPAC Manufacturing Company of Capac, Michigan. The CAPAC maker’s logo is molded into the interior crown and consists of the company name within a cross shaped emblem. The liner retains the frontal eyelet found on original WWII production examples.

Its suspension is made from olive drab shade number 3 cotton herringbone twill webbing. The webbing remains in very good condition and is secured with rivets and triangular A washers. The three upper suspension bands are joined by the correct olive drab adjustment cord, allowing the wearer to alter the fit of the liner. The sweatband remains present and is in good condition. A liner chinstrap is also retained, although it may be a reproduction.

A laundry number is inscribed beneath the front visor, T-2541. The number may relate to a previous wearer or military inventory system, but no documentation identifies the individual associated with it.

CAPAC began delivering M1 helmet liners to the U.S. Army during 1942 and continued production through the end of WWII. The frontal eyelet, herringbone twill suspension, triangular washers, and molded maker’s logo are all consistent with wartime manufacture.

The original McCord shell, front seam, swivel bales, manganese steel rim, CAPAC liner, intact suspension, sweatband, and laundry number preserve the principal WWII components of this helmet. The medic panels and 327th Glider Infantry clovers are later replicated markings and form part of its modern display configuration rather than its documented wartime history.