Original Item: Only One Available. An outstanding example of an early WWII U.S. Combat Helmet. This is an example of a M1 Fixed Bale Helmet with a fine example of a very scarce Hood Rubber Company Low Pressure Helmet Liner. The helmet is offered in great condition.

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 612C, which dates to July - August 1943. Due to the liner chinstrap being extremely tight to the brim, we are unable to remove the liner to check for a heat stamp on the shell, so we are unsure if this is a McCord or other maker. As shown, there is a stress crack in the helmet shell behind where the liner chinstrap is. 

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 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 all of its original WW2 parts and the shell has all original "corked" grain paint with front seam and fixed bails. The shell is fitted with the later steel chinstrap hardware.

The helmet also features one of the rare early-war "low pressure" liners, which were constructed of rubber fiber, and were the thinnest construction of all WWII Liners. This liner was manufactured by Hood Rubber, and features the white stamped HR marking on the crown, steel triangular "A" washers, and the standard OD Green #3 HBT suspension, which was held over for the later versions of the liner. St. Clair also made the low pressure liner, but they used unique square washers and rayon suspension. The low pressure liners, like the Hawley paper liners, were found to be inadequate, and were replaced with the "high pressure" liner, so finding one still in a helmet is quite rare, as they were sold off to be children's toys.

The rigging in the liner is still intact showing signs of light honest use. The sweatband is well retained as is the chinstrap, which as mentioned is very tight to the brim of the helmet. There is some visible cracking in the finish, so please handle it with care. Like all true US WWII M-1 helmet liners, this liner has the front vent eyelet hole. The three upper suspension bands are joined together with the correct string. This way the wearer could adjust the fit.

This is a great original example of an M1 Helmet equipped with a rare "low-pressure" liner. Ready to display!