Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a wonderful example of a rather rare M1 helmet which features a beautifully handpainted 2nd Infantry Division “Indian Head” insignia on the front and the handpainted name MYERS on the rear. As shown, there is a large stress crack through the very front of the helmet, which is splitting the two ends of the rim. This helmet was purportedly recently picked up from the veteran’s family, and provided with the helmet is an original WWII 2nd Infantry Division SSI patch, and a small card that gives information about the veteran purportedly obtained from the family:

H. Myers    WWII
23rd Inf.
2nd Div.
Pottstown, Pa.

Due to the scarcity of WWII soldier files, we could not narrow down this exact soldier, making for an exciting research project.

The shell is a WWII Front-Seam Fixed Bale M1 Helmet made by McCord Radiator, with a CAPAC liner. 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 is heat lot stamped with 730A indicating early-to-mid war manufacture.

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.

This M1 shell has correct early war fixed chinstrap loops, called "bales," and a stainless steel rim with a front seam. 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). In November 1944 the specification was changed to have the rim seam in the rear of the helmet.

This helmet is a fine example and still retains all of its original WWII parts, and the shell has all original "corked" grain paint, showing moderate use, with no evidence of a repaint. There is the usual wear on the stainless steel rim with minor deformities.  It has a later war OD green chinstrap with steel fittings.

The helmet comes complete with high pressure WWII issue and stamped with the CAPAC Manufacturing Company logo over 7 with frontal eyelet. Manufactured in Capac, Michigan this high pressure manufactured M-1 helmet liner is identified by an embossed cross with the words Capac in the crown. Capac Manufacturing Company 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 true US WWII M-1 helmet liner can be identified through the frontal eyelet hole. Other correct WWII features include cotton OD Green #3 herringbone twill (HBT) cloth suspension liner, with the webbing in very good shape. This HBT suspension is held tightly within the M-1 helmet liner by rivets and a series of triangular "A" washers. The three upper suspension bands are joined together with the correct OD green string. This way the wearer could adjust the fit. The liner is in worn condition with the sweatband now entirely absent, having cracked and worn away long ago. The leather chinstrap has the early green buckle and does show crazing.

As mentioned, there is a large stress crack directly to the front under the painted insignia. There are several other small stress cracks in spots across its circumference, mostly in the back. The paint looks amazing for its age but does have some scratching and wear as shown. The accompanying 2nd Division patch looks great and has a lovely stained patina. We could not identify Myers, but with some deep research, it could be figured out.

An outstanding painted 2nd Division helmet, ready for further research and display.