Item:
ON2820

Original WWII Battle of the Bulge Grouping - 1942 U.S. M1 McCord Helmet, M1941 Jacket, Newspaper

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. This fantastic set acquired from a veteran's family is is comprised of a totally original Original WWII 1942 U.S. M1 McCord Front Seam Fixed Bale Helmet with Westinghouse Electric Liner and Size 38/40 M41 Field Jacket jacket with front page newspaper article about the Battle of the Bulge from the EVANSVILLE COURIER dated Monday January 8th, 1945.

The most interesting aspect of this grouping is that the M1 helmet shell has 8 hand painted white swass of the right ear which, as we were told by the family, indicate kills accomplished by the USGI of German soldiers during his time in World War Two. Three of the kills occurred during the "Battle of the Bulge". The family was aware that their son, a member of the 106th Infantry, was fighting in Belgium at the time and kept this newspaper as a remembrance for his return.

The U.S. WWII M-1 fixed bale helmet was only produced from 1941 to1943. 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 "367A" which indicates the approximate manufacture date of November 1942, making this an early McCord shell as fewer than 20% of the total were manufactured before this date (see chart in photos),

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 (non-moveable) 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 original WW2 parts including the original chinstrap and paint.

The liner is correct high pressure WWII issue and stamped with the Westinghouse Electric Co logo with frontal eyelet. WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY 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 producce airborne liners and converted an unknown amount to airborne configuration. Westinghouse discontinued production around August 17, 1945 when the war ended.

A true US WWII M-1 helmet liner can usually be identified through the frontal eyelet hole. Other correct WW2 features include cotton herringbone twill (HBT) 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 liner chinstrap, back & nape strap and sweatband are post war replacements.

These helmets have become increasingly difficult to find in recent years, especially genuine WW2 issue liners with the correct HBT straps. Almost certainly to appreciate in value year after year.

The M1941 jacket is in very good condition but shows fading and wear from much use, it is approximately a size 38/40 and has a functional zipper. The back of the collar is marked in ink "Lt. XXXX" and has been written over with a number and size 36 (though it is much larger than 36). We were not told the soldiers name but apparently he was a Lieutenant.

  • This product is available for international shipping.
  • Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Cash For Collectibles