Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic September 1942 McCord manufactured front seam fixed bale helmet with Westinghouse liner. The first production batch of M1 helmets resulted with over 323,510 M-1 helmets before the start of the American involvement in World War Two. This example is heat lot stamped 262C which indicates the approximate manufacture date of September, 1942.

The shell bears four General stars representing a General in the U.S. Army. Over the stars are the initials AJR. However, we have found no record of a 4 star general in any branch of service with the initials AJR.

We acquired this from a well known collector who's collection was recently auctioned off, there was no information on this helmet, no paperwork and no provenance. Based on the age of the paint and correct stenciling of the stars we believe the paint to be genuine to the WWII or Korean War era. We do not know to whom it belonged to. Therefore, we offer it only as a WWII fixed bale McCord 1942 produced helmet in very good condition.

In September 1940, Congress authorized the President to appoint Regular Army officers to temporary higher grades in the Army of the United States during time of war or national emergency. The first temporary lieutenant general appointed under this authority was Major General Delos C. Emmons, Commander, General Headquarters Air Force; followed by Major General Lesley J. McNair, Chief of Staff, General Headquarters, U.S. Army. In July 1941, retired four-star general Douglas MacArthur was recalled to active duty and appointed temporary lieutenant general as Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East.

The later M-1 helmet shells had a set of 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 original WW2 parts and the shell has traces of the original "corked" grain paint with front seam and fixed bails.

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 WWII M-1 helmet liner be identified through the frontal eyelet hole. Other correct WW2 features include cotton herringbone twill (HBT) cloth suspension dated 1943. 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.

M1 helmets have become increasingly difficult to find in recent years, and General's helmets are nearly unheard of, making this example certain to appreciate in value year after year!