Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of an original WWII U.S. Marine Corps M1 Helmet, complete with a rare 2nd Pattern HBT Reversible Camouflage Cover, that was not stamped with an EGA device after WWII, like most on the market today! This is a beautiful example of a genuine service worn M1 helmet!

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. 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 McCord, the primary contractor.

This M1 shell has correct early-late war fixed chin strap 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 October 1943, issues with the fixed bales breaking off resulted in a change to the "swivel bales". Then in October 1944, the rims were changed to non magnetic manganese steel, due to issues with the paint wearing off the rim. Shortly after this 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. The original "corked grain" can still be seen on the exterior, with no sign of repainting that we can see. It has the correct fixed bales and a front seam stainless steel rim, which is missing paint, as is typical, even when protected by a cover. The shell is stamped with lot number 124D for manufacture in early 1942. There are a few stress cracks and other cracking present in the shell, typical of these early produced M1 helmets. The chin strap is the correct mid war OD Green #3, with correct blackened brass hardware. The shell is covered with a very lovely service-worn 2nd Pattern Reversible USMC Camouflage Helmet Cover, in the standard HBT weave used during WWII. Of note is that this helmet cover has never had an EGA stamp applied, which generally was done AFTER WWII!

The USMC camouflage helmet cover was made from the same 8.5 once herringbone twill material as the standard Army and Navy work uniforms. It was fully reversible with a green side for areas with lush vegetation and a brown side that could be used on beaches or other sun-baked areas. The USMC helmet cover was the most widely used and long-lived camouflage uniform item developed during WWII. It was produced into the early 1950's and used by the Marines into the 1960's. The condition reflects that of one who had a long service in the field. There is staining, holes, tearing and all the evidence of hard fighting.

The liner is correct "high pressure" WWII issue and stamped with a W for the Westinghouse Electric Co Manufactured 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. Westinghouse Electric Company started M-1 helmet liner delivery in May 1942.

Westinghouse did have a contract to produce airborne liners and converted an unknown amount to airborne configuration. Westinghouse 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 herringbone twill (HBT) cloth suspension liner, with the webbing in rather poor shape. This HBT suspension was held tightly within the M-1 helmet liner by rivets and a series of triangular "A" washers, but is now torn away, in pieces and loose. The three upper suspension bands are joined together with the correct OD green string. This way the wearer could adjust the fit. The Sweatband is well worn, cracked and in poor condition from service wear. The leather liner chin strap is completely missing. The outside has the name E.E. HATFIELD stamped in multiple locations. Due to how common the name is we were unable to locate any solid service information, making for a wonderful research project.

This is an incredible example of a service used M1 Helmet worn by a United States Marine during WWII. Comes ready to display!

Marines During WW2:

In World War II, the Marines performed a central role in the Pacific War, along with the U.S. Army. The battles of Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Tarawa, Guam, Tinian, Cape Gloucester, Saipan, Peleliu, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa saw fierce fighting between Marines and the Imperial Japanese Army. Some 600,000 Americans served in the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II.

The Battle of Iwo Jima, which began on 19 February 1945, was arguably the most famous Marine engagement of the war. The Japanese had learned from their defeats in the Marianas Campaign and prepared many fortified positions on the island including pillboxes and a network of tunnels. The Japanese put up fierce resistance, but American forces reached the summit of Mount Suribachi on 23 February. The mission was accomplished with high losses of 26,000 American casualties and 22,000 Japanese.

The Marines played a comparatively minor role in the European theater. Nonetheless, they did continue to provide security detachments to U.S. embassies and ships, contributed personnel to small special ops teams dropped into NSDAP-occupied Europe as part of Office of Strategic Services (OSS, the precursor to the CIA) missions, and acted as staff planners and trainers for U.S. Army amphibious operations, including the Normandy landings. By the end of the war, the Corps had expanded from two brigades to six divisions, five air wings, and supporting troops, totaling about 485,000 Marines. In addition, 20 defense battalions and a parachute battalion were raised. Nearly 87,000 Marines were casualties during World War II (including nearly 20,000 killed), and 82 were awarded the Medal of Honor.

In 1942, the Navy Seabees were created with the Marine Corps providing their organization and military training. Many Seabee units were issued the USMC standard issue and were re-designated "Marine". Despite the Corps giving them their military organization, military training, issuing them uniforms and redesignating their units, the Seabees remained Navy. USMC historian Gordon L. Rottmann writes that one of the "Navy's biggest contributions to the Marine Corps during WWII was the creation of the Seabees."

Despite Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal's prediction that the Marine flag raising at Iwo Jima meant "a Marine Corps for the next five hundred years", the Corps faced an immediate institutional crisis following the war because of a suddenly shrunken budget. Army generals pushing for a strengthened and reorganized defense establishment attempted to fold the Marine mission and assets into the Navy and Army. Drawing on hastily assembled Congressional support, and with the assistance of the so-called "Revolt of the Admirals", the Marine Corps rebuffed such efforts to dismantle the Corps, resulting in statutory protection of the Marine Corps in the National Security Act of 1947. Shortly afterward, in 1952 the Douglas–Mansfield Act afforded the commandant an equal voice with the Joint Chiefs of Staff on matters relating to the Marines and established the structure of three active divisions and air wings that remain today.