Item Description
Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This WWII U.S. M1 helmet is a fine example and still retains all of its original WW2 parts and rare hand painted camouflage. The helmet features a gorgeous forestry camouflage with different shades of green paint to resemble foliage. This example retains its shell chinstrap.
The camouflage of this helmet is painted on top of paint chipping of the original helmet paint, but the patina of the camouflage still dates it to the period. So this helmet was likely reissued during the war.
This is a very nice example of a genuine WWII Front-Seam Fixed Bale M1 Helmet made by McCord Radiator, with a CAPAC liner. 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 is extremely difficult to read but with the bales and seam, we believe this to be a mid 1943 example.
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. The chinstrap is present but has some damage as shown, and is very delicate.
The liner is correct high pressure WWII issue and stamped with the Capac Manufacturing Company logo with frontal eyelet. Manufactured in Capac, Michigan this high pressure manufactured M-1 helmet liner is identified by an embossed cross with the words Capac in the crown. Capac Manufacturing Company started M-1 helmet liner delivery to the US Army in September 1942. They produced approximately between 2,000,000 - 4,000,000 M-1 helmet liners and discontinued production around August 17 1945 when the war ended.
A true US WWII M-1 helmet liner can usually be identified through the frontal eyelet hole. Other correct WW2 features include cotton herringbone twill (HBT) cloth suspension. 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 a shoestring. This way the wearer could adjust the fit. All parts of this liner are original WWII manufacture and are in great condition. The liner chinstrap is absent.
A beautiful example with a gorgeous camouflage ready for further research and display.
- This product is available for international shipping.
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