U.S. Chrome Plated M1 helmet

A recent thread concerning a Vietnam M1 helmet reminded me of a collector chap who I knew years ago who owned a chromed plated M1 helmet of WW2 vintage, if memory serves me correctly. Sadly the owner of this helmet passed years ago. I don't believe that there was anything special about it other than it had been heavily chrome plated and it was just the standard U.S. M1 steel helmet. I remember it having a hell of a shine to it and thinking it a bit unusual, obviously for ceremonial use.

I wondered if any Forum members have a similar chrome plated helmet and could share some pictures with us, please? Perhaps someone is able to tell us more about them such as which branches of the U.S, military used them. Thanks for any information.

I must admit that I have never seen a chrome plated helmet, General George Patton had one.Attachment 85805Attachment 85806Attachment 85807

I was able to pick up this late WW2 helmet while in the service, I thought it was interesting to have with the white bar

The collector chap did manage to pick up some unusual kit and quite where he found it I have no idea. I believe that he had to extend his home to "house" his collection, he had so much stuff.

The only one I have ever seen was in the CO's office at Swanbourne Barracks in Western Australia, don't ask why I was in his office

Dick

I was given to understand that it was RARE and if I remember correctly it was accompanied by a photograph showing a number of them being worn in some sort of U.S. army ceremonial parade.

They aren't rare as in worth money. They were chromed so they actually aren't worth anything. Like our chromed FN bayonet scabbards, they aren't worth as much as a good parkerized one.There just isn't a day to day use for them and it won't escalate value.

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Originally Posted by Flying10uk

I was given to understand that it was RARE and if I remember correctly it was accompanied by a photograph showing a number of them being worn in some sort of U.S. army ceremonial parade.

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Basically, that is it. I've seen pictures of Americans that show chromed helmets and white boot lacing in fancy patterns for full dress parades. For some strange reason the US Army circa 1950s like to really 'tart things up' for ceremonies and parades.

Chrome M1s have been used for ceremonial color guards since WW2. You will still find them in use today especially in ROTC color guards. Before I retired I was a Senior Drill Sergeant in a ROTC unit in Oklahoma. The unit had four chrome M1s and two chrome M1903A3 drill rifles. Color guard looked sharp but the Oklahoma heat took its toll especially during long ceremonies. Before I retired I was able to change the uniform to berets and "rubber duck" M16s with the magazines cut off.

The chrome M1 has been replaced by other head gear due to the unavailability of the steel helmets and especially replacing cracked and broken liners.

Here's a picture of an ROTC color guard (not mine)
Attachment 85866

BEAR (BDY)