Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a genuine named WWII M1 Helmet made by McCord Radiator, with complete Firestone liner and helmet net. Like many helmets used during WWII, it was still serviceable after the war, so many were put into storage. With the outbreak of the Korean war, these helmets were pulled out of storage, repainted if needed, and reissued.
The liner and inside of the helmet are named to 2nd Lt. Noel Butters Preston (24 Jun 1930 - 11 May 2016) of Somers, Connecticut. He served as part of the 22nd Infantry Regiment of the 4th Infantry division from 1954 to 1955 during the Korean war, and was stationed primarily in Germany. The interior of the liner and shell are marked with his name, rank, Army Serial Number, and his home of Somers, CT. There is also a single vertical gold bar painted on the front of the liner and shell, indicating his rank of 2nd Lieutenant.
A great example of a Korean war reissued WWII Issue M1 helmet.
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. The heat lot stamp in this helmet is mostly covered in paint, but due to the front seam, swivel bale, and when the 22nd was deployed, this helmet was produced sometime in early 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 later war swivel (movable) 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 WWII parts, however it was repainted prior to being reissued for the Korean War.
The liner is correct “high pressure” WWII issue and stamped with an F logo over A 13 for the FIRESTONE TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY Manufactured in Akron, Ohio this “high pressure” manufactured M-1 helmet liner is identified by an embossed “F” in the crown. Firestone Tire and Rubber Company started M-1 helmet liner delivery to the US Army in September 1942. They produced approximately 7,500,000 M-1 helmet liners and discontinued production around August 17 1945 when the war ended.
This true US WWII M-1 helmet liner be identified through the frontal eyelet hole. Other correct WW2 features include cotton herringbone twill (HBT) cloth suspension liner. 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. The sweatband is intact, but is worn from age and use. The shell chin strap is original, and the liner chin strap is intact, but worn and cracked from age.
A true WWII Issued helmet, reissued for use during the Korean war and named to its last owner. Ready to display!
- This product is available for international shipping.
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