Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a genuine WWII U.S. Navy issue Front-Seam Fixed Bale M1 Helmet made by McCord Radiator, fitted with a very nice liner by CAPAC. 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 194B which indicates the approximate manufacture date of June 1942, not long after the U.S. entered WWII. 

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 earl war fixed 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.

This helmet is a fine example and still retains all of its original WW2 parts and the shell has all original "corked" grain paint, though it was overpainted with Blue for U.S. Navy Use. There is also the usual wear on the stainless steel rim, and it looks like there was a unit marking on the outside at one point, but it was painted over.  It has the correct early war OD green #3 Chin strap, though it is quite worn, and has torn through on the buckle side. The original brass buckle is missing, and instead there is a stamped steel buckle with a naval "anchor" stamped into it.

The helmet comes complete with high pressure WWII issue and stamped with the CAPAC Manufacturing Company logo with frontal eyelet. 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 US WWII M-1 helmet liner be identified through the frontal eyelet hole. Other correct WWII features include OD Green #3 cotton herringbone twill (HBT) cloth suspension liner, with the webbing in 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 is still present, however almost all of the leather has deteriorated and fallen off. The leather liner chin strap is unfortunately completely missing, which is common.

A very nice genuine early WWII U.S. Navy issue helmet, perfect for any collection! Ready to display!