Leaderboard

I added this US late war M-1 C to my collection some time back . The liner is a late war production Westinghouse in the proper jump configuration it is sporting OD#7 A-Yokes and blackened brass A-washers I do believe the chin-cup is as well a later war four hole as opposed to the earlier war five grommet variation. Take note that the liner suspension has been torn which you will notice in the images below which as I started to delve into the world of M-1's I started to hear this is a fairly common occurrence as the sweatband shrinks and can put to much pressure on the webbing causing them to tear . Needless to say I have loosened off all the sweatbands on the M-1''s in my collection. This particular M-1 is a rear seam swivel bail with its original cork finish and is sporting a stainless steel rim the helmet body has at some time in its service life been re-painted as has the liner it is my understanding that these can be found in this configuration very late war and early post war alike. The production of the rear seam swivel bails started in November of 1944 and although the heat stamp is partially obliterated by paint I can tell it has a been stamped with the numerals 1116 which puts production in either late November or early December of 1944 the chinstraps are the longer para OD#7 with the press the stud fasteners for attaching the liner. IMO the net that came with the M-1 is a section of mobile equipment and or vehicle camouflage netting and looks to be proper WW II vintage as does the hessian and looks to have been woven through the net and added eons ago.The helmet body and liner bare the Identification and service number of a Robert M Edwards C company of the 504 PIR although very hard to tell from the images there is a flash and or mark painted on the side of the helmet body but it is impossible to make it out as it has been obscured by the repaint Regards Mark

I agree 100 % @Davejb, still has much history about it and shall remain untouched by me.

Tony, dont touch it, leave as is. any repair will not be able to bring back the originality ,only show the attempt to . Its fine as it is. Its a helmet that may or may not have seen action, but was given the death blow by some bloke wealding a pickaxe as was the norm prior to being re-made into something else. It could also have been used as a grave marker but I suppose we will never know

Hello Dak, I hope you are OK.....Best Wishes for the Festive Season to You & You Family...Have Fun, Happiness and Beers...!!! Very Best Wishes....Ian/ Desert Rat

Many Thanks Tony, Very Best to You & Your Family Ian/ UK

Superb Helmet and images......Thanks for showing us at MCN Besto you.....Ian

Many Thanks Tony, I am desperately trying to find the images of me and "Lily"/ Michou from 2 years ago....arghhhhhhhhhhh they are on my laptop somewhere and will add them here when I find them. Also I met the French Resistance leader, Georges Molles that was a great friend of George Millar (SOE) Who invited me to his house to meet him in Dorset years ago (sadly I could not make it). He was Dropped in the Doubs in 1944 to organise the Maquis in the Besancon area. And one of of the most Famous SOE agents - Pearl Witherington (Cornioley) at her retirement home at Chateauvieux 4 years ago / or 5 years ago....Lovely, Fantastic and My Exceptional Pleasure to meet her 2 times! I have had some superb invitations to their houses and I hope as well to visit Madame Molles in Vielliey, this year! 1/ Madame Molles in 2012 with me.....(I will try and find the rest) Best to you Tony...IanB/ UK

Thanx @Manu Della Valle it fits in well with my helmet theme of used and not abused showing wear indicative of field use and if you look closely at the blackened A washers were the OD-7 A-Yokes are attached you will notice they are slightly bent out away from the liner this indicates that this helmet is indeed a jump veteran as they had a tendency to slightly bend and warp do to the the helmets being pulled on from the initial shock of either exiting the door of the aircraft and or when the static line engaged releasing the chute. Regards Mark