US M1 Helmet

[jond41403]

The seam is on the stainless steel rim around the helmet. the rim is the shiniest part on a helmet because that's where the paint usually wears off first and the older helmets have the seam in the front and the late war helmets have the seam in the back if I remember correctly. Your example is a rear seam.it's where the two ends meet to make the rim of the helmet. There is no seam on the helmet itself, that's why you usually can find examples that have stress cracks in them

Information

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[BEAR]

Does yours become a mosquito net or is it just a netted helmet cover?
Mine can roll down as a mosquito net and cover the face. Even has a draw string to cinch around the neck. If one buttons their collar around the neck it provides a fair amount of protection.
The draw back is the weak construction in the bush, it tears too easily.
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[RCS]

My cover is very thin and without a mosquito cover - I am certain my cover is before Viet Nam

[browningautorifle]

The draw back is the weak construction in the bush, it tears too easily.

Those were never designed for heavy use anyway. Ours had a solid top and were just for sitting still. You know you'd never be able to see or hear properly when wearing one patrolling or doing fire and movement... RCS' looks like it was cut from a head net and altered to be a helmet cover. I didn't use them, just bug juice, and I had to bathe in it...

[RCS]

I believe this two tone helmet net might be from the UK ? I have seen photos of American and Canadian troop preparing for the invasion of Kiska in the Aleutian Islands (1943). The Canadian troops have US M1 helmets with this net as well as US troops also with the M1 helmet and the same net. The Canadian troops are armed with the Lee Enfield No 4. Any additional information ?Attachment 106198Attachment 106199Attachment 106200

[browningautorifle]

I had a substantial quantity of that netting back in the 70's when I found a vehicle net that was being tossed out, used to be for a jeep I think. It was small...we'd gone to a completely different type for vehicles and these sat gathering mold. They dated back farther than anyone wanted to admit, I think WW2, we had lots of stuff that did.

Point being, I think those helmet nets were made from vehicle nets and formed by the men themselves. Even if you have it done division wide...after all Patton had his guys wearing neckties in action through general order, so how hard is it to direct the units to sacrifice a few vehicle cam nets? That's what the material looks like anyway.

[USGI]

A few years ago Sportman's Guide had GI surplus helmet nets that they sold in lots of (3). I still have one of them on a helmet pictured below. I figured they were probably from WWII or Korea, but not sure. I may still have the sales receipt with the description of them - I'll post if I find it. - Bob

[USGI]

Found the Sportsman's Guide sales slip for those surplus helmet nets. Just says they were "Military Issue." - Bob