Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice WWII production M1 helmet by Schlueter, later refit and reissued as a Korean War Medic helmet. The shell has a front seam stainless steel rim and a set of swivel (movable) chinstrap loops called "bales". The 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 much of the original "corked" grain paint with one original red cross inside a white circle. It bears heat lot stamp 280B on the inside of the shell, which on this helmet indicates production in early 1944. We were not able to find the "S" marking, which is often faint, however the small circular spot welds on the rim and bales are definitive for a Schlueter helmet.

The liner is correct "high pressure" WWII issue and stamped with the Capac Manufacturing Company logo with frontal eyelet. Many surplus WWII Helmet liners (and helmets) were put back into service with the outbreak of the Korean war. 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 M1 liner can 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 a shoestring. This way the wearer could adjust the fit. The sweatband shows significant wear, and the leather is now a dark brown color, and quite stiff. The liner chin strap is missing, and the shell chin strap has been replaced with a Korean war style attached with clips, and has the modified buckle as well.

Medic helmets are among the most sought after of all M1 helmets and have become very difficult to find in recent years, especially ones made from WWII issue helmets. Almost certainly to appreciate in value year after year!

In World War II the production of the M1 helmet began in June 1941 and ceased in September 1945. The total production of M-1 helmet shells during the war reached 22,000,000. Of these about 20,000,000 were produced by the main contractor McCord Radiator and Manufacturing Company of Detroit. Although McCord was supposed to be the single source of M-1 helmet shells, by the summer of 1942 a second company was enlisted to help the production effort. This was Schlueter Manufacturing of St. Louis, Missouri.

Schlueter began production of its M-1 helmet shells in January 1943. Schlueter produced only 2,000,000 M-1 helmet shells during the war (both fixed and swivel). They placed an "S" stamp on their helmet shells above their "heat temperature stamp". Aside from the markings, there are some subtle differences between a McCord and Schlueter M-1 helmet shell. This can be found on the rims. A Schlueter helmet shell has a much straighter profile than the classic McCord brim. Also the weld marks for the fixed bales and rim are small and round on a Schlueter, while they are oval and wide for a McCord.