Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a genuine late WWII Issue U.S. Army M1 Helmet, which like many was then reissued for use during later conflicts. This example may have been used in the Korean War, but definitely saw use in the Vietnam war. The original liner was replaced with a correct Vietnam Issue one, which is named to PVT. ROBERT A. JONES on the center strap.

It is equipped with a standard USMC Reversible Camouflage cover, which has a contract date code for 1969. It is also fitted with some lovely accessories to complete the look, held in place by the elastic band that retains the cover. These include a toothbrush, a tobacco pipe, and a 10 round belt of deactivated small arms cartridges.

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 1208E, which indicates the approximate manufacture date of March - April 1945, right before V-E day.

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 the main contractor McCord Radiator and Manufacturing Company of Detroit.

The early M-1 helmet shells had a set of fixed (static) 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). In October 1943, issues with the fixed bales breaking off resulted in a change to the "swivel bales" that this helmet has. In 1944, to deal with paint wearing off the very shiny stainless steel rim, the material was changed to manganese steel in October, and then the seam moved to the rear in November.

This helmet is a fine example and still retains all of its original WWII parts and the shell has all original "corked" grain paint with rear seam and swivel bails. The chin strap is the correct WWII OD Green with blacked brass stamped hardware. The shell and chinstrap are in very good condition, with some service wear and fading to the chin strap.

The liner is correct high pressure Vietnam Issue liner, simply marked U S / 24 on the inside of the crown. It is the standard Vietnam war style, which features a simplified rigging without any lacing in the center. This allowed for a much sturdier design, adjustable via buckles at the ends of the three straps. The sweatband is good service worn condition, with the leather stained but still supple. The liner chin strap is unfortunately missing.

The included USMC reversible camouflage cover is in good service worn condition, complete with the elastic securing band. There is wear with some tears around the helmet edge, and some light staining from the inside of the helmet. The color is retained very well, especially on the tan side.

One of the tabs on the bottom of the cover has a label that is marked:

COVER, HELMET, CAMOUFLAGE
DSA100 - 69 - F - U992
8415-261-6833
MPLS. SOC. F/T BLIND INC.

A very nice genuine late WWII issue helmet shell, refit for use by the USMC during the Vietnam War, and personalized to complete the look. Ready to add to your collection and display!