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

[ct241]

Pictures: USGI M1 Steel Pot Helmet - Album on Imgur

I bought this front seamed USGI pot helmet and liner from Numrich a while back and I'm trying to learn a bit about its history. From what I gathered, I think its a late WWII helmet and liner that has been modified to be a paratrooper's helmet. I don't know what the "PM50" means. I've also not found any markings indicating the manufacturer.

What parts am I missing and how can I restore this to a correct condition? It seems like its a hodge podge of random parts on a helmet but I'm probably wrong!

Information

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[browningautorifle]

This helmet is certainly set up to represent a para M1C or such helmet. It's among the worst hash ups I've ever seen and am not sure it would hold together on an exit from aircraft let alone a hard landing. Because of what's been done, there's no way to restore it. The marking on the liner will be up in the center of the inside of the liner. The head harness suggests an earlier helmet that's been ruined by someone along the way.

It's possible some foreign country did these up but I doubt it. All the straps have been sewn up by a textile worker, not a factory. Looks like a re-enactor or display helmet.

[ct241]

I'm wondering if it was done at some point by some foreign country. The fact that I bought it from Numrich gun parts makes me think it's not been messed with by some re-enactor or anything. I could be totally wrong though. The "paratrooper" chin strap doesn't look like any other I've seen before, so that's what threw me off. I just took another look in the liner and was made by Westinghouse Electric Company. The paint on the helmet also doesn't look correct for WWII.

I'm still curious what the PM50 may represent.

[browningautorifle]

Where is the PM50, inside the front edge of the steel shell? It would be a heat lot code if it is...I should think there'd be another number letter to it also...

I wore an M1C for 25 years and that helmet wouldn't last through any sort of harsh activity that jump helmets were subjected to.

[ct241]

It's painted on the inside brim of the liner in white over black paint. It should be the first picture in the imgur album.

I agree, the helmet is not very secure on the head.

[browningautorifle]

inside brim of the liner

Oh sure, seen. Don't know off hand what that is. Here's a few pics of a real jumper...M1C

[Harlan (Deceased)]

If the suspension in the crown is olive drab and has a circle shape tie, it's the early version.

If the crown has the crown straps as solid straps crossing over each other with no circle, it's the newer '65 type. The example from the OP has a white tie in the crown that's definitely wrong. No it's not Iraqi at all. Their helmets looked a little like M1's but there are different. This helmet has components from many different years and newer repro components that are the wrong era. Unfortunately it's a mess.

YES. Hang onto your correct Vietnam era M1C paratrooper helmets! They have finally gone up in value and I think they'll continue to rise.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

BAR is completely correct on this one, and he's being overly nice not trying to hurt your feelings - (What's up with that Jim)
The helmet is a true faked mess from all over the historical spectrum of different era AND it has many repro parts added too.

M1C's from every era have gone through the roof! WWII examples can fetch thousands, and even Vietnam era M1C's have started to skyrocket in value so there are many fakes recently.

Fully correct Vietnam era M1C's can go from $200 to much over depending on condition and correctness. Bill Hollinger has a perfect 1960-1965 and a 1965-1970's M1C and they're going up in value since they are correct and in almost perfect condition. Sadly, and sorry, but your helmet screams a fake rebuild to any M1 helmet collector and is only worth around $30 to the right buyer.

[browningautorifle]

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

[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