Original U.S. Vietnam War M1 Helmet and Liner With Replicated ARVN Ranger Markings and Camouflage

Original Item: Only One Available. One of the most desirable helmets to collectors of M1 Helmets are those used by the Army of the Republic Vietnam (ARVN) Rangers, or BDQ. This helmet came to us exactly as it was found. We Cannot 100% say that the exterior paint is original or not, but it is incredibly convincing, and shows age and wear. Priced accordingly, this helmet makes for an excellent gap filler in a collection!

The shell of the helmet features a replicated ARVN style BDQ camouflage paint with the ARVN Rangers Star/Tiger insignia painted on the front. Vietnam War era M-1 helmet shells have a set of swivel (movable) chinstrap loops called bales and a manganese steel rim. These rims had non-magnetic qualities that reduced the chance of error readings when placed around certain sensitive equipment (such as a compass). In WWII the shells had Stainless Steel rims, however these would easily lose paint, and the shine produced without paint was a liability. The chinstraps are in excellent condition, and are the correct Airborne model for the corresponding liner.

The liner is a correct Vietnam era M1 Parachutists Liner which is the airborne model, equipped with chinstrap yokes. The airborne A-Yokes for the chincup are intact, with the chincup present (which was routinely removed, as the chincups were rarely worn outside of combat jumps which rarely occurred in Vietnam). The liner itself is in unissued condition, and is the exact same configuration as the wartime models, with riveted in suspension (not to be confused with the Post-1973 removable suspension system. Although postwar dated, this liner is identical to the wartime issue.