USGI M1 Helmet; Paratrooper, Franken-helmet, not really sure?

Pictures: USGI M1 Steel Pot Helmet - Album on Imgur

I bought this front seamed USGI pot helmet and liner from Numrich a while back and I'm trying to learn a bit about its history. From what I gathered, I think its a late WWII helmet and liner that has been modified to be a paratrooper's helmet. I don't know what the "PM50" means. I've also not found any markings indicating the manufacturer.

What parts am I missing and how can I restore this to a correct condition? It seems like its a hodge podge of random parts on a helmet but I'm probably wrong!

This helmet is certainly set up to represent a para M1C or such helmet. It's among the worst hash ups I've ever seen and am not sure it would hold together on an exit from aircraft let alone a hard landing. Because of what's been done, there's no way to restore it. The marking on the liner will be up in the center of the inside of the liner. The head harness suggests an earlier helmet that's been ruined by someone along the way.

It's possible some foreign country did these up but I doubt it. All the straps have been sewn up by a textile worker, not a factory. Looks like a re-enactor or display helmet.

I'm wondering if it was done at some point by some foreign country. The fact that I bought it from Numrich gun parts makes me think it's not been messed with by some re-enactor or anything. I could be totally wrong though. The "paratrooper" chin strap doesn't look like any other I've seen before, so that's what threw me off. I just took another look in the liner and was made by Westinghouse Electric Company. The paint on the helmet also doesn't look correct for WWII.

I'm still curious what the PM50 may represent.

Where is the PM50, inside the front edge of the steel shell? It would be a heat lot code if it is...I should think there'd be another number letter to it also...

I wore an M1C for 25 years and that helmet wouldn't last through any sort of harsh activity that jump helmets were subjected to.

It's painted on the inside brim of the liner in white over black paint. It should be the first picture in the imgur album.

I agree, the helmet is not very secure on the head.

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Originally Posted by ct241

inside brim of the liner

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Oh sure, seen. Don't know off hand what that is. Here's a few pics of a real jumper...M1C

BAR is completely correct on this one, and he's being overly nice not trying to hurt your feelings - (What's up with that Jim)
The helmet is a true faked mess from all over the historical spectrum of different era AND it has many repro parts added too.

M1C's from every era have gone through the roof! WWII examples can fetch thousands, and even Vietnam era M1C's have started to skyrocket in value so there are many fakes recently.

Fully correct Vietnam era M1C's can go from $200 to much over depending on condition and correctness. Bill Hollinger has a perfect 1960-1965 and a 1965-1970's M1C and they're going up in value since they are correct and in almost perfect condition. Sadly, and sorry, but your helmet screams a fake rebuild to any M1 helmet collector and is only worth around $30 to the right buyer.

Finally you appear Harlan...we were waiting for you.

Interesting to hear that original jump helmets are so valuable!
I brought mine home from jump school in 68. I also have the one that I wore when I made a couple of jumps in RVN.
Not sure, but I think I have an earlier one too.
Just had a thought, that could be an Iraqi helmet liner. They did some similar mods and wore the liner as a stand alone helmet - probably for guard duty or parades, but ??? Have to did mine out and see how it compares.
Sarge

If the suspension in the crown is olive drab and has a circle shape tie, it's the early version.

If the crown has the crown straps as solid straps crossing over each other with no circle, it's the newer '65 type. The example from the OP has a white tie in the crown that's definitely wrong. No it's not Iraqi at all. Their helmets looked a little like M1's but there are different. This helmet has components from many different years and newer repro components that are the wrong era. Unfortunately it's a mess.

YES. Hang onto your correct Vietnam era M1C paratrooper helmets! They have finally gone up in value and I think they'll continue to rise.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Finally you appear Harlan...we were waiting for you.

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I've been here all along Jim.... You were 100% correct in your assessment and I didn't think I needed to pile on much, but I know how the OP feels. Like all of us, we hope items such as this are still somehow valuable or unique. When the OP began to hope his helmet was still unique after your assessment I felt I should join in, but I hate giving bad news to any collector...

The shell is early WWII because of the front seam. The Liner is a poorly messed up early Vietnam era liner. The chin strap on Vietnam era M1C's have a small extra strap on them with a snap to join the helmet liner to the shell to keep them together as they hit the violent slipstream as paratroopers exited their aircraft. The base for the chinstrap of a Vietnam era straps have a metal connection and the strap was Olive Drab green. Near the very end of WWII, they changed all M1 helmet suspension and connecting straps to Olive Drab though few ever made it into service during WWII. Most of these OD straps were used in Korea and later. This helmet has a new repro khaki helmet strap that depicts a WWII era strap.

You and others were correct in that the repro helmet strap here was sowed on by hand and sticks out like a sore thumb. (There is a unique 'zig-zag' pattern of all authentic WWII stitching)

All the black rivet heads on the liner have been added in recent years and it's a total mess compared to originals. Whomever put this together had very little knowledge on M1 helmets, and especially not M1C M1 helmets. It's sad but this has been going on for a few years now just to scam other people who don't have the knowledge and history of the venerable USGI M1 helmet.

Here's a link to a very comprehensive web site and I think it's the best around if you want to learn more about many types of US militaria.

U.S. Militaria Forum

I hope this helps.
~ Harlan

Post War ----BELGIAN Para helmet

I know you must have jumped with these guys Gil...but here's what I'd expect to see as a Belgian jump pot...

Jim,
Yes several times. They did jump with various pots on their heads and coverted what they were issued with, with many U.S buckles appearing that had been lashed on so they could use elastic straps once on the ground, many should have been condemned before the war :lol: always made us smile, however, the plastic chin guard was often dispensed with once they saw are U.K comfy leather chin straps that were carved from a cows behind during WW2 and swamped in cam cream:lol::lol:

Meant to add, they loved the UK elastic tanky strap.......easily pleased, which was fitted to the saecondary buckle, tucking the jump straps up into the helmet!!! The helmets had seen better days trust me!!

Jim and Gil,

I'll be forever impressed with your service and knowledge. (WAY impressed!)

I got into collecting the venerable 'M1 Helmet' years ago when I was in a low-point and couldn't afford WWII fifles, and like everything else I seem to do, I went overboard buying books, collecting BOXES of M1 helmets along with helmets that look a little like M1 helmets, contributing to web sites, etc to the point I can see the difference of a WWII and Korean War shell even though they look the same to most, and not even look into the liner. (WWII shells have a slightly different rounded profile on top)

I'm in NO WAY a helmet genius here, just have had many USGI helmets from all periods the M1's were in service through my hands. I'll bet there really are more M1C fakes from all eras than authentic M1C's in circulation today.

Jim is correct about the Belgian helmets and shells. The liner is way different too just as the Iraqi helmet liner. (Heck, Iraqi's might have even 'duck-taped' their US clone helmets onto their heads for all I know) :lol:

Believe me, the helmet from the OP is a fantasy piece made up from different generations of the USGI M1 helmets I know better than I know an M1 carbine, along with a bit of new WWII era repro parts most M1 helmet collectors can see from feet away.

I had this as a swap from some years ago I have just dug it out, any takers, as to what it was converted for, other than simulation of hits my memory is blank?

It's well done for sure. Not shabby. Looks like a miles gear setup or something...? Need a few more pics to see that rig attached to it... It's a new Kevlar too isn't it?

Jim,
Sadly, I had a series of photos but the system told me they were too big, but allowed the above one through. I have asked for web assistance as I can't reduce them in size. The part numbers from inside the helmet are clearly marked etc. Wait out!

Thanks Doug, I wish I had never downloaded Windows 10 now..........."bad workman always blames his tools comes to mind"
Standard chin strap shown in the centre image. Any collectors interested in this one?

It's clearly a power source on that one. Integral...Kevlar type... That sorts out my thoughts about Windows 10 though. I use a snipping tool to take out the excess of the pics, the surplus surround.

You got it right Jim. It's based on the first PASGT USGI kevlar helmet with the added parts.

FWIW, I still use 'Windows 7' here. I LOVED Windows XP, but Microsoft quickly forced their next two operating systems on all of us so that XP was obsolete. XP really worked better than any MS Operating System ever, but Microsoft had to change it so they could make more billions on newer operating Systems.

I've been through SO MUCH with Windows over the past 15 years just to keep my job as the 'Specialist/Trainer" --- All windows really seems to do is move things around so that it looks different, but as a user they mostly only change where familiar things are located. It's just a silly scam IMHO.

Just thought I might add a little to this thread gents here is a Late war M-1 C Para from my collection.
The liner is a repainted late war production Westy in the proper configuration sporting OD#7 A-Yokes and blackened brass A washers the chincup is as well a later war four hole as opposed to the earlier war five grommet.
The liner suspension has been torn which as I start to delve into the world of M-1's I started to hear is a fairly common occurance as the sweatbands shrink and can put to much pressure on the webbing causing them to tear needless to say I have loosened off all the sweatbands on the M-1's in my collection.
As to the M-1 it is a rear seam swivel bail and as well has been repainted it is my understanding that these can be found in this configuration very late war and early post war alike if you look closely you can notice that there is a white emblem and or flash painted on the side of the helmet body under the repaint but it is impossible to determine exactly what it is.
I believe I am correct that the production on the rear seam swivel Bail started in November of 1944.
There is only a partial heat stamp visable as the rest is obscured by paint it is sporting a cork finish and IMO a stainless steel rim so with out a doubt WW II .
My best guess on the heat stamp would be ( 1116 B ) this would put the production date as very late in 1944.
The chinstraps are the longer para OD#7 with press the stud fasteners for attaching to the liner .
The net that came with the M-1 is a section of vehicle Camouflage netting and IMO is WW II era as is the hessian scrim.
If any of you gents would like to see any detailed images of the liner and or the shell feel free to ask.

Regards Mark

$$$$ CHA CHING!!! $$$$ Nice latter WWII M1C!

Man, I wonder if that's a playing card symbol under the paint? They regularly painted over the unit/medic markings, but your helmet is worth too much as is to take a chance removing paint.

The inside straps simply broke from sweat rotting them. The stresses and abuse was also a factor, it wasn't over tight headbands. The whole canvas affair would just get rotten over time...

Yup, it's pretty common with WWII liners.

Hi Harlan I was starting to wonder if anyone was going to reply my understanding is that they were not to tight but had a tendacy to shrink.
If I try and match up the two pieces of material on the headband they will not stretch far enough to rejoin the two there is almost a 1/4 inch gap between them.
As to the original chincup on the Franken helmet IMHO it is the Canadian variation as are liners had slide buckles instead of grommet ed straps they are a little thicker than there US cousins and are 9 1/6 wide as it is the spitting image of the example on my Canadian modified jump liner.
Now back to the late war M1-C without a doubt there are traces of white paint which just adds to the history of the piece I am not one for stripping paint of of any of the helms in my collection as then they are IMO messed with.

Kind Regards Mark

Hi Kozowy1967. Welcome to the site!

On a positive note I've seen WWII era M1C's in much worse condition than yours that still sell for a lot!

Thank you Harlan I should have properly introduced my self in the welcome thread.
As to the condition it was one of the reasons I purchased this example it screams of being field used.
One of the tells are the A washers have a slight bend in them were they attach to the A yokes which suggests additional stress on these particular components ( ie..the shock from exiting the aircraft ).

Kind Regards Mark

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Originally Posted by Kozowy1967

I was starting to wonder if anyone was going to reply my understanding is that they were not to tight but had a tendacy to shrink.

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I just did...and they all saw hard use. Not as dramatic as the exits from aircraft, that's actually isolated compared to the droll day to day use and abuse we put them through. Lots of us here wore these...and can attest.

Thanks for the reply Jim I was using my smart phone earlier and did not notice someone else had chimbed in on the discussion .
If you are current or ex military my ut-most deepest respect and thank you for your service glad to see another forum member here from the Island .

Regards Mark

Hi Kozowy1967,

Jim (BAR) is the real deal 'lifer' from Canada. I've never met a more honorable and knowledgeable military friend who knows more about general weapons and allied equipment.

PS - If I had to go into a 'bad' bar I can't think of anyone I'd trust more than Jim on my side! :lol:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...me92vr34-1.jpg

That was just lying on my workshop floor...was all...