Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent example of a circa 1944-1945 U.S. Army MIlitary Police Helmet. It is an excellent WWII M1 Swivel-Bale Helmet with liner by Westinghouse in excellent condition. The helmet exhibits original U.S. Army Military Police markings painted on the shell in the classic form. The most notable aspect is the original period white band around the circumference and white MP painted to the front. “MP” standing for Military Police, of course.  Military Police Helmets were a common sight during WWII , both stateside and overseas. However, many were repainted in the years following WWII, when the helmets were refurbished for reissue. Therefore, original WWII Period examples are incredibly hard to find on today’s market.
 
The helmet is in absolutely stunning condition, with the original liner complete with original sweatband and nape strap. The shell is marked with a heat lot number 906G which places production to be approximately April 1944. Helmet is complete with original khaki chinstraps fitted with blackened brass hardware. The exterior of the helmet appears to have undergone a period depot repaint, most likely when the MP markings were added.  It is our feeling that this helmet dates to the last year of WWII, or even during occupation immediately following the war.
 
The  Liner is the correct high pressure WWII issue manufactured by the Westinghouse Electric Company 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. The Liner exterior shows original Olive Drab paint, light scuffs from honest use and wear. The suspension Is a pleasing shade of a Khaki and is very clean. The sweatband leather is in un-oiled and pliable, showing its original natural brown finish. The sweatband is secured by its original Olive Drab painted clips. The liner chinstrap is not a wartime original, but a postwar (circa 1950’s) Liner Chinstrap with a a “DOT” marked fastener that was added only for aesthetic reasons. It could very easily be switched out if one so desired.

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 total production of M-1 helmet shells during the war reached 22,000,000. Of these about 20,000,000 were produced by the main contractor McCord Radiator and Manufacturing.
 
This is a quality, complete WWII M1 Military Police Helmet that have become increasingly difficult to find in recent years, especially genuine WW2 issue Military Police-marked Helmets. Almost certainly to appreciate in value year after year. An excellent and rare opportunity for the collector to obtain a seldom-found U.S. WWII Painted Helmet!