BACKGROUND: The M-1 helmet was developed as a replacement for the M-1917 helmet that had seen use since WW1. It was designed by using the crown of the M-1917, removing the brim and adding extensions to protect the neck, ears, and forehead. The resulting form was then used as a template for the production of a helmet body from a single piece of Hadfield Manganese Steel. The liner and suspension were developed after a modified Riddel Football helmet. The M-1 helmet was approved for production in June of 1941. Early models had solid loops (fixed bale) for the chin straps but they broke off to often and were replaced with a moveable hinged loop. The original rim of the helmet was made of stainless steel but it was found that the paint that was used would wear off to easily and leave a shiny reflective surface. To remedy this they switched to a Hadfield Manganese Steel and also changed the butt of the rim from the front to the rear of the helmet body. This change took place in October of 1944. The M-1 helmet had the best ballistic characteristics of any helmet developed up to then and could with stand the force from a 230 grain, .45 caliber bullet with a velocity of 800 feet per second.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A two-piece helmet, comprised of a plastic liner and a Manganese shell. The shell retains approximately 98% of its rough-textured olive drab paint to the exterior, and about 98% of its smooth-textured olive drab paint to the interior. Stenciled to the front of the shell in yellow is the number "90". On either side, spot welded in place, are moveable hinged loops, introduced in 1943, through which are sewn late war olive-drab web straps. Through the loop to the right side is sewn the longer of its two webbed canvas chin straps. The end of this olive-drab colored strap wraps around a black painted steel buckle and is crimped at its end by a black painted steel flat end retaining clip. The shorter strap to the other side terminates in a black painted steel release hook. Stamped to the front interior of the shell is "385", most likely indicating manufacture by the McCord Radiator and Manufacturing Company of Detroit Michigan. The high pressure plastic liner has a dark brown and tan vertical stripe design visible to its interior surface, resulting from its segmented construction, but has been painted in olive drab to its exterior, which has been almost 85% retained with some wear to the crown and front visor. There are six rivets for the "Riddell" suspension system, three for the neck strap, as well as two larger garter stud rivets for the chin strap, and an eyelet to the front center for insignia, are visible to the exterior. To the interior is the khaki-colored cotton, Herringbone twill suspension system, adopted in 1942, whose flat-black mildew inhibitor coated brass "A"-shaped washers are fixed by the exterior rivets. The washers fix a horizontal suspension band from which extends a "hammock"-style head harness, comprised of three straps folded around a central tie string, creating six suspension straps. To the back of the interior is a horizontal neck strap, to which a neckband is snapped. The removable headband is missing. To the interior crown is embossed a circle with a "W" over an oval inside which indicates manufacture by the Westinghouse Electric Company. Below the circle is embossed "D16". All the "A" washers are coated brass which indicates manufacture between June 1944 and August 1945. Except for the liner missing the headband it is in very good condition and the helmet shell has only minor surface scratches outside and is in almost unissued condition. A very nice example of a late war shell and liner.

GRADE ****                                                         PRICE $329.00

To Order this item, please use one of the two e-mail addresses below to contact us. Please make sure to quote the item number in your e-mail

MILITARIA WANTED!  If you have items for sale, please contact us. We specialize in selling single pieces and entire collections. Over 3 decades in the business and we do all the work for you. Get the best return for your investment.

-E-Mail Address pawmac@nbnet.nb.ca  Or  guild@nb.aibn.com

To return to the main page please CLICK below