Original Item: Only One Available. This is a great example of an early WWII US Marine Corps M1 Helmet which could have been used into Korea. This helmet features an extremely scarce Inland Liner, an iconic early 1st Pattern Helmet Cover that shows signs of honest period use, and a great USMC Eagle/Globe/Anchor Insignia stencil, which was likely done post-war but could have been done during the war, but we can never know for sure.

This is a very nice example of a genuine WWII Front-Seam Fixed Bale M1 Helmet made by McCord Radiator, with a very scarce Inland liner and 1st Pattern USMC cover. 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 “984B”.

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 all of its original WWII parts, and the shell has all original "corked" grain paint. There is also the usual wear on the stainless steel rim with minor deformities. The helmet has the correct early WWII khaki chinstraps fitted with thick heavy cast brass buckle hardware.

The included USMC reversible camouflage cover is in very good condition which still retains vibrant coloration. There is a stenciled EGA present on the front, but as it’s an early WWII cover, we aren’t sure if this was done during WWII or Korea. This is of the early first pattern variety which was not fitted with slots on the surface for foliage. Needless to say, these covers are seldom found today, as many were used and subsequently worn out during WWII.

The correct "high pressure" style M-1 Helmet liner was manufactured in Dayton, Ohio by the Inland Manufacturing Division, as indicated by the embossed INLAND logo inside the crown. It is also marked with mold number 55. This company started M-1 helmet liner delivery to the US Army in September 1942. They produced approximately 1,900,000 M-1 helmet liners and converted about 75,000 liners to airborne configuration. Inland Manufacturing discontinued M-1 helmet liner production in 1943 when their manufacturing services were deemed better used elsewhere.

This true US WWII M-1 helmet liner can be identified through the frontal eyelet hole. Other correct WWII features include cotton OD Green #3 herringbone twill (HBT) cloth suspension liner, with the webbing in lightly worn condition, with some areas having light discoloration. 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, so that the wearer could adjust the fit, but it is not properly connected to one of them. The sweatband is in good condition, showing heavy wear and some damage. The liner chinstrap is absent.

An excellent, genuine early WWII issue helmet that comes complete, ready to be researched and displayed!