18 May 2022 Garand Picture of the Day

[Mark in Rochester]

Over 22 million U.S. M1 steel helmets were manufactured through September 1945. Production was done by McCord Radiator and Manufacturing Company and Schlueter Manufacturing Company; the former developed a method to create an almost eighteen-centimeter deep bowl in a single pressing, which was an engineering milestone at the time.

Total production per year during the period 1941-45 :

- 1941 : 323 510

- 1942 : 5 001 384

- 1943 : 7 648 880

- 1944 : 5 703 520

- 1945 : 3 685 721

In 1944, the stainless steel helmet rim with a seam at the front was replaced by a manganese steel rim with a rear seam, as well as the helmet bails were changed from a fixed, welded version to a swivel model in 1942, along with slight alterations to the shaping of the side brim. Further M1 helmets were manufactured for the Korean War

The design of the bowl-like shell led to some novel uses: When separated from the liner, the shell could be used as an entrenching tool, a hammer, a washbasin, a bucket, a bowl, and a seat. The shell was also used as a cooking pot, but the practice was discouraged as it would make the metal alloy brittle

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