+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 14

Thread: Vietnam Era Helmet and Liner

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Contributing Member Aragorn243's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 09:10 PM
    Location
    Pennsylvania, United States
    Posts
    6,974
    Real Name
    Steve
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    09:26 AM

    Vietnam Era Helmet and Liner

    Picked up a very nice Vietnam era helmet from the vet that owned it today. He was in the Air Force so it's like new with the exceptions of some paint scuffs on the helmet itself. What I'm curious about is if they can be identified by manufacturer and possibly a date.

    Helmet is marked I-4461
    Liner is marked US 19

    I did some extensive searching but it seems no one cares unless it was made prior to 1946.
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. Thank You to Aragorn243 For This Useful Post:


  3. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  4. #2
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 12:49 AM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,839
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    06:26 AM
    If you take your investigation here, you'll get it completely answered. They have a sticky as well that may help you... Of course look for the US helmet forum. Helmets

    I think if you look again, your liner isn't a "US 19" but a stylized "MSA 19".

    MINE SAFETY APPLIANCE (MSA)
    Manufactured in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this "high pressure" manufactured M-1 helmet liner is identified by an embossed "MSA" in the crown. Mine Safety Appliance started M-1 helmet liner delivery to the US Army in September 1942. They produced approximately between 2,000,000 - 4,000,000 M-1 helmet liners and discontinued production around August 17, 1945 when the war ended.
    Last edited by browningautorifle; 04-29-2018 at 10:09 AM.
    Regards, Jim

  5. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to browningautorifle For This Useful Post:


  6. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  7. #3
    Contributing Member Aragorn243's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 09:10 PM
    Location
    Pennsylvania, United States
    Posts
    6,974
    Real Name
    Steve
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    09:26 AM
    Thread Starter
    Forgot I posted this.

    No, it is US 19, very clearly.

    I think it is a 1958 liner. See "K" in the photos at the bottom of the page. The US is identical and the 19 is where the 6 is. Nothing else on mine.

    Rough guide to the US M-1 liner makers

  8. #4
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 12:49 AM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,839
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    06:26 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Aragorn243 View Post
    it is US 19, very clearly.
    OK then, that explains that too...
    Quote Originally Posted by Aragorn243 View Post
    I think it is a 1958 liner.
    When I joined we had all types of M1icon helmets, every age and manufacture. We bought all the old ones from the US as they made new ones and cycled out the old. Ours replaced our old D Day helmets so we didn't care they were actually WW2 US issue...I saw everything. We broke fixed bales by sitting on them upside down...broke crowns by using them to carry dirt and stones from trenches and straps wore out by carrying them on water bottles. They meant nothing...and we had every make and model. Even then I knew they were all different but there was NO info or interest...
    Regards, Jim

  9. #5
    Contributing Member usabaker's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 08:08 PM
    Location
    San Deigo, CA
    Posts
    1,733
    Real Name
    Bill Baker
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    06:26 AM
    Veteran US Navy Seabees - US Army Corps of Engineers - American Legion Post 0867
    " Only two defining forces have offered to die for me. 1.) Jesus Christ 2.) The American G.I. "One died for your soul, the other for your freedom! "

  10. #6
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 12:49 AM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,839
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    06:26 AM
    I hated those new type of snap on straps, not durable and would break first time out of the package. I was glad I took care of mine and didn't need to use them...They wouldn't stay done up either.
    Regards, Jim

  11. Thank You to browningautorifle For This Useful Post:


  12. #7
    Contributing Member Doco overboard's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 02:20 PM
    Location
    Delmarva Peninsula
    Posts
    452
    Real Name
    Brian Stiles
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    09:26 AM
    I found this one back in the woods this year deer hunting. Surprised it could last so long because the tide gets back in there.
    Attachment 93221

  13. Thank You to Doco overboard For This Useful Post:


  14. #8
    Contributing Member fjruple's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Last On
    10-29-2023 @ 04:38 AM
    Location
    New Jersey, USA
    Posts
    1,021
    Real Name
    Franklin Ruple
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    09:26 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Aragorn243 View Post
    Picked up a very nice Vietnam era helmet from the vet that owned it today. He was in the Air Force so it's like new with the exceptions of some paint scuffs on the helmet itself. What I'm curious about is if they can be identified by manufacturer and possibly a date.

    Helmet is marked I-4461
    Liner is marked US 19

    I did some extensive searching but it seems no one cares unless it was made prior to 1946.
    Thganks for the information just to let you know the helmet marking I-4461 is the first initial of the last name and last four numbers of the service number which is the Social Security Number of the owner. While the helmet liner could be of an earlier manufacturer with many user in between. The SSN number was establish as the service number as follows:
    Army and Air Force July 1, 1969
    Navy and Marine Corps January 1, 1972
    Coast Guard October 1, 1974

    Cheers

    --fjruple

    ---------- Post added at 11:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:54 AM ----------

    Quote Originally Posted by Doco overboard View Post
    I found this one back in the woods this year deer hunting. Surprised it could last so long because the tide gets back in there.
    Attachment 93221
    If your helmet came from the Delaware beach area i more than likely was used by any one of the military installations that existed along the shore. The beaches in Southern Delaware was used in the 1950 and 60's to train twin 40 gunners until the 60's there was only one left in the back bay area of Bethany Beach when I left the DEARNG in 1996. The land devlopers and politican got most of the beach front properties.

  15. #9
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 12:49 AM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,839
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    06:26 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by fjruple View Post
    just to let you know the helmet marking I-4461 is the first initial of the last name and last four numbers of the service number which is the Social Security Number of the owner.
    I think you'll find this is the heat lot code of the helmet, not someone's initial and SSN... Sounds like a McCord helmet shell...unless it has an "S" stamped with the heat lot number. If the number and letter mentioned are stamped in then they're the heat lot. I suspect they have been written here backwards also.
    Regards, Jim

  16. Thank You to browningautorifle For This Useful Post:


  17. #10
    Contributing Member Aragorn243's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 09:10 PM
    Location
    Pennsylvania, United States
    Posts
    6,974
    Real Name
    Steve
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    09:26 AM
    Thread Starter
    Yeah, the mark isn't the initial and serial number. It's stamped in the metal. So McCord was the post war manufacturer?

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Worth saving this helmet liner
    By lyon13 in forum Vintage Military Gear
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 08-23-2015, 11:33 PM
  2. US WWII helmet liner insignia
    By Benny in forum Vintage Military Gear
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 06-07-2015, 03:26 PM
  3. Help identify helmet and liner
    By MannyR in forum Vintage Military Gear
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 05-19-2015, 10:30 PM
  4. M1 helmet liner
    By boristhepig in forum Vintage Military Gear
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 09-05-2014, 04:42 PM
  5. What is this Paratroop Steel Helmet and Liner worth?
    By ulflyer in forum Appraisals, Fakery, Dispute Resolution & Mediation Forum
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 05-26-2012, 11:52 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks