Original U.S. WWII 1943 M1 McCord Fixed Bale Front Seam Helmet with Net - Inland/Firestone Tire & Rubber Co Liner

Original Item: Only One Available. 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 196B, which indicates a very early manufacture date!

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.

The early M-1 helmet shells had a set of fixed 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 all of its original WW2 parts and the shell has all original "corked" grain paint with front seam and fixed bails. The inside of the shell is stamped with an enlisted soldier’s laundry number, P-5725.

The liner is correct “high pressure” WWII issue and stamped with an F logo over 44 for the FIRESTONE TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY Manufactured in Akron, Ohio this “high pressure” manufactured M-1 helmet liner is identified by an embossed “F” in the crown. Firestone Tire and Rubber Company started M-1 helmet liner delivery to the US Army in September 1942. They produced approximately 7,500,000 M-1 helmet liners and discontinued production around August 17 1945 when the war ended.

The liner itself was actually produced in Dayton, Ohio by Inland Manufacturing Division, as indicated by the embossed INLAND (covered by the “F”) logo inside the crown. This company started M-1 helmet liner delivery to the US Army in September 1942. They produced approximately 1,900,000 M-1 helmet liners and converted about 75,000 liners to airborne configuration. Inland Manufacturing discontinued M-1 helmet liner production in 1943 when their manufacturing services were deemed better used elsewhere. The additional stamping was more than likely done when the liner went under an arsenal refinish for the Korean war era.

This true almost unissued US WWII M-1 helmet liner can 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. The liner chinstrap is retained but heavily worn.

The shell chin strap is present and is the correct khaki with a stamped brass buckle, and the helmet net is an original WWII issue!

These helmets have become increasingly difficult to find in recent years, especially genuine WW2 issue examples. Almost certainly to appreciate in value year after year!