Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic early war M1 helmet, purchased as surplus, and according to the dealer we purchased it from, was 'done up' and used during the filming of the film "Saving Private Ryan". There are original filming reference numbers on the inside of the shell, and outside was painted with a 29th Infantry Division "Blue and Gray Division" insignia on the front. It also had a white "Follow Me" stripe added to the back, which was a white stripe added to the back of Officer's and senior NCO's, so that they could be easily recognized from behind. It was fitted with an original WWII helmet net, and has an original period liner.

There is unfortunately no provenance we can provide for this helmet, which is why we are able to offer it at such an attractive price. As it is, the helmet is still a very nice partly refurbished early war issue McCord helmet.

The U.S. WWII M-1 helmet was only produced from 1941 to 1945. 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 58C, a very low number which indicates the approximate manufacture date of December 1941, just 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.

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).

This helmet is a fine example and still retains many of its original WW2 parts and the shell has all original "corked" grain paint. This was painted over at some point for production, but from what we can tell the original corking is still underneath. It features a front seam, fixed bales, and the correct stamped brass buckles for the OD Green #3 chin strap.

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 can liner be identified through the frontal eyelet hole. Other correct WW2 features include cotton herringbone twill (HBT) OD Green #7 cloth suspension. 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 a shoestring. This way the wearer could adjust the fit. The sweatband is in great shape, and is an OD #3 early war model, with minimal wear. The leather helmet inner liner chin strap is also included, and in great shape.

These helmets have become increasingly difficult to find in recent years, especially genuine WWII issue liners with the correct HBT straps and buckles.  A great piece of movie history, made from an original WWII Issued helmet. Almost certainly to appreciate in value year after year!