Original U.S. WWII Front Seam Swivel Bale M1 Helmet with CAPAC Liner - Replicated 4-Panel Medic Paint

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a genuine WWII Front-Seam Swivel Bale M1 Helmet likely made by McCord Radiator, fitted with a very worn liner by the 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. We were unable to locate the heat lot stamp on this helmet, so we are unsure when it was made and by whom, but the front seam means it was mid-to-late war.

This good condition M1 shell has correct mid war swivel 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 example is painted with a four-panel medic scheme by a collector, and is not original. The entire shell looks to have been repainted as well. The shell has the correct mid-war khaki chinstrap with the stamped brass buckle.

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 liner is in very heavily worn condition with mud staining on the interior. The sweatband is entirely absent, as is the chinstrap. The suspension is present but heavily worn.

This is a great replicated four-panel M1 helmet, a good representative example for your collection. Ready to display.