Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent example of a genuine WWII Front-Seam swivel Bale M1 Helmet made by McCord Radiator, with a Firestone 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 with 904F for approximate manufacture of August-September 1944.
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 mid war swivel chinstrap loops, called "bales," and a manganese steel rim with a front fully welded seam. This is one of only two we have ever seen where the front seam was fully welded, so it appears as if the helmet has no seam at all. In 1944, to deal with paint wearing off the very shiny stainless steel rim, the material was changed to manganese steel in October, and then the seam moved to the rear in November.
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 only light wear. There is also the usual wear on the stainless steel rim. It has the correct stamped brass chinstrap hardware. The front of the shell has been painted with Captain’s bars, which are a bit worn and crudely painted. We believe they are period.
The helmet comes complete with 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.
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 very good shape. 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. This way the wearer could adjust the fit. It shows wear and age from long service. The liner chin strap is completely gone. The back of the liner is painted with the name KEVIN PITTMAN, making this a great research opportunity.
This is an excellent genuine WWII issue helmet perfect for any collection! Ready to display!
- This product is available for international shipping.
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