M1 Garand and M1 Helmet Pictures

[Harlan (Deceased)]

These photos were taken in 1940 and show a Fort Benning soldier modeling two new experimental helmets in a firing position with the new M1 Garand rifle. This is one year before the start of the U.S. entry into WWII and it demonstrates that even at that late date the U.S. Army was still trying to determine what would replace the U.S. M1917A1 that was still in service at that time.
(National Infantry Museum)

This is the TS-2 helmet which would eventually be further refined and designated the iconic M1 Helmet




This is the same soldier but he's wearing the Model 5 helmet that was the other helmet that was under final consideration at the Fort Benning trials.


It's difficult to imagine U.S. soldiers looking like Spanish Conquistadors while storming the beaches at Normandy but it almost happened.

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[Harlan (Deceased)]

Below left is another view of the model 5 helmet during the trials. On the right is a WWI era German helmet.
The Army liked the extra protection offered by the Model 5 but from the side it looked too much like a German helmet.

We weren't at war with Germany at the time of the trials but they must have seen it coming.

[RCS]

What is attached to the M1 rifle rear sight in these photos ?

[Harlan (Deceased)]

I noticed that too and hoped one of you Garand gurus would know what it is.

I couldn't tell if it was attached to the Garand sight or some part of his equipment behind it (?)

[browningautorifle]

I was wondering that too! I thought it was the chinstrap in the second one but it's in the first one also.

[Bob Womack]

Automatic over-sized conquistador helmet pusher backer.

[Allen Humphrey]

Geeze Bob, I almost lost my lunch laughing at your "Automatic over-sized conquistador helmet pusher backer" because I was thinking those helmets rode pretty low too. Speaking of LOW, how about that low blow being delivered by the guy on the left? Ohoooooo....... thats gonna hurt, not to mention the guy is pulling off his gas mask at the same time he is divirting the bayonet thrust. He's a super star.