Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a Rank Painted M1 Helmet produced by McCord, complete with its original liner made by International Molded Plastics. It is in very nice shape, and the shell is marked on the front with a Major’s Oakleaf Cluster. The helmet is complete with original complete liner with chinstrap, and original foliage net. All appear to have been together since their service in WWII!

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.

The steel shell on this fine example is stamped 1017C indicating McCord manufacture and dating from early to early 1945. The helmet is of the swivel bale, rear seam, variety. 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 errors when placed around certain sensitive equipment (such as a compass). In 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 1944 the switch was made to rear seams.

The exterior still has the original "corked grain" OD Green paint retained well, with areas of light wear. There are no dents or deformation we can see, though there definitely is some dust and dirt on the inside of the shell. The chinstraps are of a medium Olive Drab, with blackened brass hardware. It shows the expected wear, and is really in great shape.

The front of the shell has a hand painted Major’s Oakleaf Rank insignia, with the nickname “CAT” painted in yellow off center on the reverse. Within the interior, the original owner’s name “Maj. Catanzaro” is written inside, just above the visor.

The liner is the correct “high pressure” WWII issue and stamped with with the logo for the International Molded Plastics Company. This true US WWII M-1 helmet liner 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 slightly worn condition, with some areas having small tears. 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 sweatband shows wear, and is completely torn through at the front. The liner chin strap is present and unbroken.

The helmet comes with a khaki net with ¾” holes. The net appears to have been on the helmet for a very long time, and is molded to the shape of the helmet.

This is definitely a liner that saw use during the war, and looks to have been exposed to dirt and moisture during service, and possibly afterwards. We have left this intact to preserve the wonderful "service worn" look that the interior has.