M1 helmet? Bought awhile back, questions

[racerlee]

Hello, I bought this helmet about 2 years ago. I know the liner isn't WW2. It has a sticker in it saying Mecarta 1961. But I was wondering if the shell is WW2.

Front seam, looks stainless steal, swivel rings, heat stamping 282B. The inside is written LT ALMY, don't know how old the name is. So I'm not sure what these are going for for price. I payed $60 for it. So any info would help. Thanks

[NickD]

yes your shell is WW2 & dates from about September 1942 with that heat stamp number which also means this was once a fixed bail version but was converted/upgraded at a later date to the swivel bail version.

[racerlee]

Thanks Nick for that information. I never knew that the fixed bails were ever converted. Have you or anybody else see names in the shell written like this one? I hope I didn't pay to much for it. I was thinking of using it in WW2 reenactments.

[Walkwolf]

I see names in helmets often - mostly written with a marker.
This lid will be great for re-enacting.........!

[racerlee]

Thanks Steve. The writing looks like it was done with a black colored pencil, like a black crayon

[Walkwolf]

Not a big deal, no one will see it anyway - unless you also use it
as a shaving/washing/cooking pot.........!

[racerlee]

LOL or bail out your fox hole after it rains!

[NickD]

another interesting little thing about your M-1 near where the bail is you can see whats called a dimple these have been associated with the rare M-2 D bail airborne helmet this means at some point your M-1 may have been ear marked to have become an airborne helmet but never made it that far i have a couple of fixed bail lids with this dimple

[Walkwolf]

Hey Nick, what's the dimple for - aligning or centering the bales ?

[NickD]

at a guess i would say yes nobody has really given an explanation for the dimples other then being associated with M-2 helmets.