Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a genuine WWII U.S. Navy issue Front-Seam Fixed Bale M1 Helmet made by McCord Radiator, fitted with a very nice liner by Firestone. 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. This example has been repainted, so we cannot see the heat lot code. However the oval welds on the front seam are definitive for a McCord shell. Schlueter shells had small circular welds.
This very good condition M1 shell has correct early war fixed chinstrap loops, called "bales," and a stainless steel rim with a front fully welded 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 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 WW2 parts and the shell has all original "corked" grain paint, though it was overpainted with thick blue paint for U.S. Navy use. There is also the usual wear on the stainless steel rim, even after it was repainted several times. It has the correct early war OD green #3 Chin strap, though it s worn and dirty from service. It is fitted with the correct mid-war stamped steel style buckle.
The liner is painted green with a number 2 on the left side, and is the correct “high pressure” WWII issue and stamped with an F "Shield" logo over 22 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.
This true US WWII M-1 helmet liner be identified through the frontal eyelet hole. Other correct WWII features include OD Green #3 cotton herringbone twill (HBT) cloth suspension liner, with the webbing in good shape. 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 the correct OD green string. This way the wearer could adjust the fit. The sweatband is still present, with the leather in worn condition, and the rear strap is currently unbuckled. The liner chin strap is present, but stretched and snapped by the buckle long ago.
A very nice genuine early WWII U.S. Navy issue helmet, perfect for any collection! Ready to display!
- This product is available for international shipping.
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