Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. Now this is an incredible helmet and piece of history. It is not very often that you come across a genuine WWII issued Medic Helmet, let alone one that has “Four Panels” of the Red Cross insignia. The helmet is in untouched condition with no signs of any mistreatment or additions, this is a 100 percent period original example! Paint has clearly been in place since WWII and no paint glows under a black light.
This helmet is a fine complete example and still retains all of its original WW2 parts (both shell and liner chinstraps, sweatband, nape strap etc.) and the shell has all original "corked" grain paint with four original red crosses inside white circles. The liner chinstrap has a lovely rested appearance, though unfortunately due to being on the brim for many years, the edges where the leather meets the liner on the sides has turned the leather into a delicate state. It is recommended that no attempt be made to remove the chinstrap due to risk of breaking it.
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 stamped 154B which indicates the approximate manufacture date of July 1942, soon after the U.S. entered into WWII.
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 is an early M-1 helmet with a set of fixed (non-movable) chinstrap loops called bales and a stainless steel rim. 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).
The liner is correct “high pressure” WWII issue and stamped with an F logo over
20 for the FIRESTONE TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY Manufactured in Akron, Ohio. This “high pressure” manufactured M-1 helmet liner is identified by an embossed “F” in the crown. Firestone Tire and Rubber Company started M-1 helmet liner delivery to the US Army in September 1942. They produced approximately 7,500,000 M-1 helmet liners and discontinued production around August 17 1945 when the war ended.
On any World War II battlefield, you could find thousands of men trained and ready to do one thing, fight. For roughly every 500 fighting men, there would be 30 or less trained and ready to do an entirely different mission: save lives. These were the battlefield medics.
WW2 Medic helmets are among the most sought after of all M1 helmets and have become increasingly difficult to find in recent years. Value increases yearly, don’t miss your chance on this one!
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