Original Item: Only One Available. The M1 helmet is a combat helmet that was used by the United States military from World War II until 1985, when it was succeeded by the PASGT helmet. For over forty years, the M1 was standard issue for the U.S. military. The M1 helmet has become an icon of the American military, with its design inspiring other militaries around the world.
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.
This helmet is a fine example and still retains most of its original Vietnam War parts, and the shell has the original dark OD Green finish as a base with a nice white coat painted over top to a red cross on either side. Unfortunately due to the nature of this helmet and it’s use on a ship and on shore, there is a lot of surface rust and interior rust, making the markings unable to be read. From the appearance of the “dot” welds on the bales, it appears to be an Ingersoll made helmet. The helmet's heat lot code is not visible. The dot weld indicates manufacture by Ingersoll Rand Products, who produced a total of 3,174,296 helmet shells between 1965-1968 during the Vietnam Period. The shell still retains the correct Vietnam type chin strap, attached to the swivel bales, with the modified buckle designed to give way under excessive load, such as from an explosion.
The liner is correct high pressure late 1960s issue liner, however it definitely has some interesting features that we are not used to seeing. It is not marked on the top as far as we can tell and also, while it does not have a front eyelet hole, the rigging inside looks to be WWII style. Part of the rigging however is the darker OD #7, so it is possible that this liner was reworked at some point using older parts. The liner shows signs of heavy use and wear with the rigging almost completely detached from the liner itself. While in the Marine Corps and deployed aboard a U.S. Navy ship, I noticed identical M1 helmets still being used aboard by the medical personnel and that was in the late 2000’s!
These helmets have become increasingly difficult to find in recent years, especially genuine Vietnam War issue ones with WWII Liners. Almost certainly to appreciate in value year after year!
