Early war US M1 Helmet

[Gildwiller1918]

Here is a very early WW2 US M1 Helmet and liner. The M1 helmet was put into production in 1941 to replace the M1917 A1 Kelly helmet. The liner is what is known as the Hawley type or liner-fiber-M1, which was made the Hawley company and was fabricated from compressed cardboard. The liner was painted a khaki green color, and had a white colored rayon webbing for the internal liner and headband assembly. A key characteristic for this liner verses later ones is the use of rectangular aluminum washers versus the more familiar triangular types. Another feature was the thin leather chinstrap, which could be used to secure the liner to the helmet, on this model they are riveted in place compared to later ones where the strap could be removed. This liner was very prone to damage from damp and humid conditions, which led to it being phased out for low pressure liners ( also found to be inadequate), then to high pressure liners. Interestingly enough, the US paratroopers also tested the Hawley design out, which was very similar to the version shown below, but also was rejected. 

The helmet itself is known as the "front seam" type, meaning the band that runs along the bottom of the helmet is joined at the front whereas in later models this was moved to the rear of the helmet. Another early war feature if this helmet are the bales where the chinstrap attaches to. This model has the fixed bale types which were basically half rectangle shapes welded on, this was found to be inadequate as well, and the swivel bales were added to later models starting in 1943. The helmet chinstrap is brass and has the raised bar feature used from 1941 to late 1942. The production number on this helmet is a low one, 77E, which puts the date in 1941. Overall a nice early example of the M1 helmet for WW2. 

 

[Fritz]

I had one like that many years ago - about 1966/67, with the "woodchip" finish, but slightly darker. It had a slight dent the the rear of crown, and a roughly red painted "Smith" at the back, otherwise all complete. I'm quite sure it was a WW2 example.

[Gildwiller1918]

WW2 versions had ground up cork under the paint to help reduce glare for the helmet, however WW2 models were used for quite some time. I have seen the front and rear seam helmets used into Korea and Vietnam, sometimes afterwards. Liners were no exception either. I have even seen US troops (non front line) using them into the late 1990's. 

It is common also to find the helmets with dents, as the steel pot was sometime used for cooking, latrine use, to beat a tent stake in, etc.