Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. Please note that the M1 shell and the liner are not a matched pair. A creative collector along the way put these together to make an impressive looking display. While the bullet hole in the shell appears to be authentic, as is every aspect of the shell. The liner including the hand painted 2nd ID insignia, is also authentic, but the faint remains of an NCO bar on the back of the liner was added then removed. These two pieces were never together in the war and someone added the hole to the liner to match the shell.
This is a wonderful example of an early bullet struck fixed bale M1 helmet with2nd infantry division painted insignia Westinghouse liner. A notable feature of the helmet shell is that it was struck by a small caliber round that penetrated the helmet shell without exit hole. It would appear that the helmet was struck at a significant angle, sparing the life of the soldier wearing it, if he was wearing it at all.
Another excellent feature of this set is the Westinghouse liner that has an excellent hand painted period authentic “Indian Head” insignia of the 2nd Infantry Division painted on the front. The "bullet hole"on the liner appears to have been added to match the shell. As we continue getting further away in years from the end of WWII, these 2nd Infantry Division painted helmets are becoming increasingly difficult to find in today’s market, making this an excellent offering.
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 but due to oxidation and pitting, it is extremely difficult to locate the numbers, only a “4” is visible.
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 M1 shell has correct early war fixed chinstrap loops, called "bales," and a stainless steel rim with a front 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 most of its original WWII parts, and the shell has much of the original "corked" grain paint, showing extensive use, with no evidence of a repaint. The interior of the shell has heavy oxidation present, almost like liquid pooled and staying there for many years. There is also the usual wear on the stainless steel rim with minor deformities. There are the expected stress cracks located on the front and rear of the helmet, a common sight to see with early manufactured M1 helmets. It has the correct early war OD green #3 Chin strap with a cast brass “hook” with the buckle and chinstrap missing entirely on the right side.
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 is torn and stained. This HBT suspension is still held somewhat 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 string. This way the wearer could adjust the fit. The original leather chin strap is present but in very delicate condition. The leather sweatband is no longer present.
An excellent, genuine early WWII issue helmet that comes complete, ready to be researched and displayed!
- This product is available for international shipping.
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