Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a Mid-War M1 Helmet produced by Schlueter, complete with its original liner by MSA. It is in very nice shape, and has some great markings scratched into the inside of the liner! When in defensive positions, it was not uncommon for soldiers to add markings to their helmets to pass the time and relieve stress. The front of the liner is marked with the name BUTCH, and there are messages scratched onto the left and right sides. It looks like he was stationed in Bastogne, which was right in the middle of the "Bulge", and was besieged by German forces. On the left is:

and on the right is:

We certainly hope that "Butch" escaped, as the weather cleared shortly after December 24th, restoring air support, and General George S Patton's Third Army reached Bastogne from the south on December 26, ending the siege.

In World War II the production of the M1 helmet began in June 1941 and ceased in September 1945. 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 Company of Detroit. Although McCord was supposed to be the single source of M-1 helmet shells, by the summer of 1942 a second company was enlisted to help the production effort. This was Schlueter Manufacturing of St. Louis, Missouri.

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 for the fixed bales and rim are small and round on a Schlueter, while they are oval and wide for a McCord. This nice mid war production helmet is a fine example and still retains all of its original WWII parts with some light wear from service. It does look like the shell exterior was repainted at some point during the war.

The steel shell is stamped 418A along with a large S, indicating Schlueter manufacture and dating from mid to late 1944, when the rear seam rim was introduced. M-1 helmet shell originally had 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). In August-September 1944, due to issues with paint flaking off the bright stainless steel, the rim was changed to use non-magnetic manganese steel, which retained the paint and was not shiny. Shortly after this in November-December 1944 the switch was made to rear seams.

This helmet features the correct front seam manganese steel rim and mid war production swivel bales for production around September 1944. This helmet is definitely period correct for one that may have seen use in the Battle of the Bulge. It was repainted white on the exterior for use during the winter months, but otherwise retains all of it's original correct WWII production aspects. The shell chin strap is the correct OD Green #7 from a mid-late war helmet, with a stamped steel buckle. It shows light wear, but is really in great shape. 

The correct "high pressure" style M-1 Helmet liner was manufactured by Mine Safety Appliances of Evans City, Pennsylvania, as identified by an embossed stylized MSA logo in the crown. It is also marked with mold number 30. 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. The company still exists today, producing all manner of safety equipment.

This true US WWII M-1 helmet liner be identified through the frontal eyelet hole. Other correct WWII features include OD Green #3 cotton 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. Unfortunately the sweatband and liner chin strap are completely missing, but the rigging is in very good shape. At some point the exterior was painted yellow.

Schlueter helmets have become extremely difficult to find in recent years, especially genuine front seam examples. The writing on the inside of the liner is really the icing on the cake. Almost certainly to appreciate in value year after year.