USGI M1 Helmet; Paratrooper, Franken-helmet, not really sure?

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Finally you appear Harlan...we were waiting for you.

I've been here all along Jim.... You were 100% correct in your assessment and I didn't think I needed to pile on much, but I know how the OP feels. Like all of us, we hope items such as this are still somehow valuable or unique. When the OP began to hope his helmet was still unique after your assessment I felt I should join in, but I hate giving bad news to any collector...

The shell is early WWII because of the front seam. The Liner is a poorly messed up early Vietnam era liner. The chin strap on Vietnam era M1C's have a small extra strap on them with a snap to join the helmet liner to the shell to keep them together as they hit the violent slipstream as paratroopers exited their aircraft. The base for the chinstrap of a Vietnam era straps have a metal connection and the strap was Olive Drab green. Near the very end of WWII, they changed all M1 helmet suspension and connecting straps to Olive Drab though few ever made it into service during WWII. Most of these OD straps were used in Korea and later. This helmet has a new repro khaki helmet strap that depicts a WWII era strap.

You and others were correct in that the repro helmet strap here was sowed on by hand and sticks out like a sore thumb. (There is a unique 'zig-zag' pattern of all authentic WWII stitching)

All the black rivet heads on the liner have been added in recent years and it's a total mess compared to originals. Whomever put this together had very little knowledge on M1 helmets, and especially not M1C M1 helmets. It's sad but this has been going on for a few years now just to scam other people who don't have the knowledge and history of the venerable USGI M1 helmet.

Here's a link to a very comprehensive web site and I think it's the best around if you want to learn more about many types of US militaria.

U.S. Militaria Forum

I hope this helps.
~ Harlan

[Gil Boyd]

Post War ----BELGIAN Para helmet

[browningautorifle]

I know you must have jumped with these guys Gil...but here's what I'd expect to see as a Belgian jump pot...

[Gil Boyd]

Jim,
Yes several times. They did jump with various pots on their heads and coverted what they were issued with, with many U.S buckles appearing that had been lashed on so they could use elastic straps once on the ground, many should have been condemned before the war always made us smile, however, the plastic chin guard was often dispensed with once they saw are U.K comfy leather chin straps that were carved from a cows behind during WW2 and swamped in cam cream

Meant to add, they loved the UK elastic tanky strap.......easily pleased, which was fitted to the saecondary buckle, tucking the jump straps up into the helmet!!! The helmets had seen better days trust me!!

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Jim and Gil,

I'll be forever impressed with your service and knowledge. (WAY impressed!)

I got into collecting the venerable 'M1 Helmet' years ago when I was in a low-point and couldn't afford WWII fifles, and like everything else I seem to do, I went overboard buying books, collecting BOXES of M1 helmets along with helmets that look a little like M1 helmets, contributing to web sites, etc to the point I can see the difference of a WWII and Korean War shell even though they look the same to most, and not even look into the liner. (WWII shells have a slightly different rounded profile on top)

I'm in NO WAY a helmet genius here, just have had many USGI helmets from all periods the M1's were in service through my hands. I'll bet there really are more M1C fakes from all eras than authentic M1C's in circulation today.

Jim is correct about the Belgian helmets and shells. The liner is way different too just as the Iraqi helmet liner. (Heck, Iraqi's might have even 'duck-taped' their US clone helmets onto their heads for all I know)

Believe me, the helmet from the OP is a fantasy piece made up from different generations of the USGI M1 helmets I know better than I know an M1 carbine, along with a bit of new WWII era repro parts most M1 helmet collectors can see from feet away.

[Gil Boyd]

I had this as a swap from some years ago I have just dug it out, any takers, as to what it was converted for, other than simulation of hits my memory is blank?

[browningautorifle]

It's well done for sure. Not shabby. Looks like a miles gear setup or something...? Need a few more pics to see that rig attached to it... It's a new Kevlar too isn't it?

[Gil Boyd]

Jim,
Sadly, I had a series of photos but the system told me they were too big, but allowed the above one through. I have asked for web assistance as I can't reduce them in size. The part numbers from inside the helmet are clearly marked etc. Wait out!

[Gil Boyd]

Thanks Doug, I wish I had never downloaded Windows 10 now..........."bad workman always blames his tools comes to mind"
Standard chin strap shown in the centre image. Any collectors interested in this one?

[browningautorifle]

It's clearly a power source on that one. Integral...Kevlar type... That sorts out my thoughts about Windows 10 though. I use a snipping tool to take out the excess of the pics, the surplus surround.