Original U.S. WWII Major’s M1 Fixed Bale Helmet with Int'l Molded Plastics Liner and Green Buckle Liner Chinstrap
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Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of an original Early WWII U.S. Front-Seam Fixed Bale M1 Helmet made by McCord Radiator, painted with Major’s rank insignia, and fitted with an excellent condition liner made by the firm of International Molded Plastics.
The Helmet shell has been hand painted with rank insignia for a Major. In addition to the rank, it appears that there may have been a strip of blue or white adhesive tape going around the sides and back of the helmet, terminating on either side of the rank insignia. Which coule indicate that this helmet was originally owned by a Military Police Officer, or an officer that would require extra visibility at one time or another; such as that similar to a “Chalk” leader on a boat or aircraft, engineers, beachmasters, etc. Just enough of the original adhesive remains to show that something was there at some point. Inside the helmet the laundry number “S-9279” has been hand painted. This means that there is a possibility of conducting research on the original owner, if one so desired.
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. Generally, these helmets exhibit “heat lot” numbers stamped along the visor. This particular helmet does not have one, indicating that it may have been stamped very lightly, not at all, or that this is a very early helmet. It is likely a circa 1942 helmet, based on the fact it is fitted with the earliest iteration of M1 chinstraps with the heavy thick cast buckle.
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 stainless steel rim with a front fully welded 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 helmet is fitted with a rare early version Liner Chinstrap with Green-Painted Hardware. The chinstrap still retains its original russett brown finish. 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 liner is correct high pressure WWII issue and stamped with the International Molded Plastics logo with frontal eyelet. Manufactured in Watertown, Massachusetts this “high pressure” manufactured M-1 helmet liner is identified by an embossed “little man” in a circle in the crown. International Molded Plastics, Inc (IMP) 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 correct string. This way the wearer could adjust the fit. The suspension is torn in a few areas, but does not detract from the displayability of the helmet.
A lovely helmet ready for further research and display.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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