Original Item: Only One Available. This is a nearly unissued example of a genuine WWII Front-Seam Swivel Bale M1 Helmet made by McCord Radiator, with a Westinghouse liner, helmet net, and instructions for the use of the net. This is really a nice set with some rarely seen items, all in nearly unissued condition.

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 1106A which indicates the approximate manufacture date of December 1944 to February 1945.

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 fantastic condition M1 shell has correct late war swivel (movable) 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, though this was not fully implemented until March 1945.

This helmet is a fine example and still retains most of its original WWII parts and the shell has all original "corked" grain paint, which is 100% intact. There is almost no wear around the rim, and the OD Green #3 chin strap is in similar condition, with no signs of use. The chin strap is sewn on, as it should be, with the correct flat stamped blacked brass buckle. The helmet is covered with a reversible OD Green / Brown helmet net, and includes instructions for use of the net as well. The net is in unissued condition.

The liner is correct "high pressure" WWII issue and stamped with a W for the Westinghouse Electric Co Manufactured in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this "high pressure" manufactured M-1 helmet liner is identified by an embossed "W" in the crown (which is still Westinghouse's logo to this day). Westinghouse was the largest M-1 helmet liner producer and had two production divisions; Micarta and Bryant Electric. The Micarta Division produced about 13,000,000 M-1 helmet liners and the Bryant Electric Division about 10,000,000. Westinghouse Electric Company started M-1 helmet liner delivery in May 1942. Westinghouse did have a contract to produce airborne liners and converted an unknown amount to airborne configuration. Westinghouse 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 WWII features include cotton 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. The Sweatband and liner chin strap are missing, however there is little evidence that they were ever installed, as there is no wear to the suspension where the sweatband clips would have attached. There is also no discoloration to the rigging.

An unissued genuine WWII issue helmet with camouflage net, perfect for any collection! Ready to display!