M1 Garand ammo belt

[gsimmons]

Wow nice. You like chronographs don't you?

[Bizio]

Indeed I really do.
In 1990 I was desperately looking for a new Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, the steel model and it was hard to find all over Europe. I had phoned to almost all Rolex dealers in Europe.
I finally found a dealer, Asprey's in London, who took a reservation in my name in a list they were keeping.
They called me back after 4 years saying that my Daytona was there.
I went to London. I got a room in a hotel behind Hyde Park and in the hearth of the night the fire alarm bell started to ring. I suddenly woke up, got in hurry my Daytona and nothing else and just dressed with pants (underwear) rushed running downstairs.
Someone coming back to hotel had pushed the firearm switch. But I was safe and happy with my new Daytona.

[gsimmons]

great story, I don't blame you I'd do the same thing. I'd be the one standing on the pavement in just pants and a watch.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Nice gear Bizio!

Sorry I'm just now getting back to the site - I had another spine surgery and it put me out for a while loner than I expected.

Your M-1923 cartridge belt is indeed original, and very nice. They were intended, and first produced with the 1903 rifle in mind. The 1923 design only differed slightly from the earlier belts used in WWI, mostly to replace the cotton material with stronger canvas type material - The extra little strap inside was intended to separate two stripper clips. Once the M1 Garand came into use, a fully loaded, eight round clip fit perfectly, so it was continued to be used and produced all the way through the 50's.

Like all other WWII web gear, the earlier belts were OD3 (Khaki) and the later belts were OD7 (OD green) but there were some still being made in OD3 as late as 1945. They continued to make them after WWII, but they did away with the extra strap inside after the end of WWII, so you can tell a postwar that way even if the dates are no longer visible.

You did great with the helmet. There are TONS of fakes now, or refurbed with repro parts, but your looks good. The price you paid is right in the middle of what a good fixed bale with original paint and a good liner is going for. The liner has a Military repaint outside, but that's common and doesn't seem to effect value much, if any. The adjustable nape strap is later, but it would be common to have them replaced later in the war. The earlier nape straps from the time of the earlier helmets just came in Small, Medium, and Large sizes and they were marked as such on the back of them. I would just keep the one you have because it matches the rest of the liner suspension. The earlier napes aren't hard to come by, but most are NOS and they'd look out of place next to older, used suspension.

You also paid right in the middle for your liner chinstrap. They have skyrocketed in price just over the past six months. (Supply and demand) The majority of WWII M-1 helmets do not have liner straps when people get their helmets, and especially higher end collectors want original liner straps to complete their high end helmets. Actually, there were a few different liner straps, and some collectors will pay a ton to match the correct strap to their helmet. The green buckle with the little turned up end on the buckle closing lever is the later WWII type, which would still be correct for your helmet. They're referred to as 'Green Buckles' by collectors and demand a premium. After looking closely, I feel yours is authentic - They've been making reproductions of liner straps for years because so few of them are around, and many sellers try to 'Age' them, but crazing and cracking are hard to fake.

There are so few around for several reasons, but the main reason is they became so brittle they break off easily - They were also unpopular when they were still new - There was a rumor that ran amok (Especially in the ETO) that a close blast would break your neck from the concussion if you had your helmet buckled, so most GI's just put the helmet strap on the back of the helmet and they un-clipped the liner strap and discarded it.

[USGI]

Welcome back, Harlan! I had a hunch where you probably were - glad you are on the mend. - Bob

[Bizio]

Hello Harlan.

First of all no need to say sorry ! I hope You feel well after Your surgery.
Thank You so much for all the info You gave me and for confirming me that all the gear I bought seem to be original and not a fake.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

All of it is DEFINITELY authentic Bizio! You have a good eye!
When I saw you were buying a helmet I worried a little, but you got a good early one that looks right as rain! I just came a cross two earlier nape straps the same vintage as when your helmet was made and came back here to show them to you, just in case you're interested. They're inexpensive, but they don't always come up for sale and thought you might try to buy one and see how far off it it next to your suspension. You might even try to get it a little dirty. I have a 'George Frost' nape in my fixed bale.

WWII US M-1 HELMET LINER NAPE STRAP UNISSUED EARLY KHAKI | eBay

WWII US M-1 HELMET LINER NAPE STRAP UNISSUED EARLY KHAKI | eBay

[Bizio]

Thank you Harlan !
I must admit that I have been very lucky with so many fakes around.
Thank you for your links of the two nape straps, I would buy them but unfortunatly dealer doesn't ship outside USA ... that's always a big problem for me since I'm in Italy.

EDIT: I can't even contact the ebay dealer since he blocked messages from users outside US.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

I think it's kind of rotten that he blocked Europeans from even contacting him - (To each his own)

I forgot that you were from Italy (my apologies) - Since you're in Europe, it makes it even more remarkable, and fortunate that everything you have is 100% authentic, and what looks to be early WWII.

At least the nape strap is a very minor thing - Adjustable napes came out later that your fixed bale helmet, but by it's color yours is WWII vintage and it wouldn't be uncommon for someone to change it out. You can still keep your eyes open and I will too, and eventually one will turn up if you want one. (Sometimes the search is half the fun, and this is an inexpensive part to have fun looking for!)

UPDATE:
I found one on eBay. This is the only one up other than the first two I posted and this one doesn't say anything about not shipping to Europe.
If you're interested, you might just send him a question to ask, but I bet he will sell to Italy.

US WWII M1 Helmet Nape Strap Small C.S.C. HBT OD#3 Khaki Single Weave Early War | eBay

[Bizio]

No need to apologize, Harlan.
I guess there are really few Italians writing here.

Thank you again for your link. dealer ships to Italy and I will try to get the item, hopefully.