Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent condition, rather rare US produced M1 helmet as used by the South Vietnamese Armored School. THe helmet itself is in wonderful condition and bears the Armored corps insignia on both the front of the helmet and the liner itself. The helmet is complete aside from missing the leather liner chinstrap but those were commonly discarded or never installed on these helmets, especially Vietnamese issued examples.
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 very good condition M1 shell has correct late war moveable 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 Vietnamese paint. There is also the usual wear on the stainless steel rim and the shell itself.
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 liner can be identified through the frontal eyelet hole. Other correct WW2 features include cotton herringbone twill (HBT) cloth suspension which dates to early Vietnam. This HBT suspension is held tightly within the M-1 helmet liner by rivets and a series of black triangular "A" washers. The three upper suspension bands are joined together with a correct string. This way the wearer could adjust the fit. Unfortunately the rear nape strap is slightly worn.
A wonderful example ready for further research and display.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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