Original U.S. Korean War Medic M1 McCord Fixed Bale Front Seam Helmet with CAPAC Liner

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very interesting example of a WWII M1 Helmet produced by McCord, which looks to have been painted with a two-panel Medic scheme during the Korean War era. Like many of the helmets that remained after WWII, this helmet looks to have been reissued for service during the Korean War Era, and was most likely used long after. It definitely shows wear and use, with some corrosion under the manganese steel rim, some of which has chipped off.

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 stamped with what we believe to read 129B(?), but as the paint has obfuscated it, we cannot be sure of what the number is.

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 is an early M-1 helmet with a set of fixed (non-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). One of the two fixed bales appears to have broken off and was re-attached at an angle. 

This helmet is a fine complete example and still retains all of its original WW2 parts and the shell has later added dark green paint with two original red cross panels, which look to be from the Korean War or possibly Vietnam War era. The helmet is fitted with an original khaki chinstrap with stamped steel buckles, and they are field depot-riveted examples, very rare to see. The chinstrap pieces show extremely heavy degradation and staining, with one side hanging by a few threads. 

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 can be identified through the frontal eyelet hole. Other correct WWII features include cotton OD Green #3 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 exterior of the liner shows that the paint is entirely gone. The sweatband is entirely absent, as is the chinstrap. The suspension is present but heavily worn.

U.S. Medic helmets are among the most sought after of all M1 helmets and have become very difficult to find in recent years. Almost certainly to appreciate in value year after year!