Original U.S. WWII Rear Seam Swivel Bale McCord M1 Helmet with Converted Paratrooper Seaman Paper Company Liner with Korean War Name & Serial Number

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a great example of a genuine WWII Rear-Seam Swivel Bale M1 Helmet made by McCord Radiator, with very nice liner by Seaman Paper Co. At some point during the war, or possibly post war, the helmet was converted to the paratrooper configuration. The shell chin straps were not removed, but the liner has the snaps for the chinstrap to snap into. 

The liner itself had two of the "A" washer rivets replaced, so that the M1-C canvas paratrooper chin cup could be installed with the canvas securing straps. At this time the snap was also added to attach to the shell chin strap. The liner saw use during the Korean War and has a great inscription with name and serial number, William L. Christianson US55410750, a good research project. The helmet comes with a very nice thin style helmet net.

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 1283A, indicating a very late 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 many of its original WWII parts and the shell has all original "corked" grain paint with rear seam and swivel bails. It was however repainted, probably when it was converted to the paratrooper configuration. The chin strap is the original OD Green #3 with stamped brass hardware. The helmet does have some denting and wear to the paint, and the stainless steel rim has the usual paint loss. It is covered with a very nice dark OD green helmet net, for attaching foliage to the helmet. There are several tears in the netting and some holes near the crown, giving it a good service-worn look.

The liner is correct high pressure WWII issue and stamped with a S in an oval for the SEAMAN PAPER COMPANY. Manufactured in Chicago, Illinois this "high pressure" manufactured M-1 helmet liner is identified by an embossed "S" in the crown. Seaman Paper Company started 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 WW2 features include cotton herringbone twill (HBT) OD Green #3 cloth suspension. 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 tie strap. This way the wearer could adjust the fit. The sweatband is present, and in very nice condition, with only minor wear. The leather liner chin strap is present (reproduction), as well as the added paratrooper chin straps and attached M1-C strap.

If you were looking for a very nice WWII Reworked paratrooper helmet, this is it! Looks the business and is ready to display!