My First WWII M1 Helmet

**earlymb** · 09-26-2016, 12:31 PM

I think he is refrerring to the buckle. This seems to be the later, stamped metal type (the early ones are made of brass and have a raised bar) but I have seen the stamped type on fixed bales before. Stocks of the older type were used up first so you can even find flex bale shells with the early buckles.

**ruddersrangers44** · 09-26-2016, 06:45 PM

To be honest i'm completely stunned that Tom would say that,he's clued up having his own website,quite a strange thing to say really.

**busman** · 09-26-2016, 07:14 PM

Email

**ruddersrangers44** · 09-26-2016, 10:52 PM

Even stranger when you think i sold a set a whlle back to Tom and it too was in the 600 range and yes it also carried the same black painted buckle,keeps getting weirder by the minute.........

**busman** · 09-27-2016, 07:03 AM

From what I read up on m1 helmets limited as it was, that style buckle looked OK to be on a fixed bale. Can be a bit confusing for a new collector , glad I bought the helmet prior to my conversation with Tom as I would have passed on the helmet thinking it being a possible post war refurb.

**earlymb** · 09-27-2016, 12:12 PM

There was a long transition period for those buckles. I think you only can say only really early shells all would have had the brass buckle, and only really late shells would all have the painted buckle. I wouldn't have any problem adding this helmet to my WW2 collection.

**Tank Destroyer** · 09-27-2016, 12:27 PM

Bottom line is you a nice original ww2 issued m1 helmet. For the helmet to be your m1,great find.
Marty

**plumbob** · 09-27-2016, 06:17 PM

looks like a nice set well done.
Is that another name and number on the pot, cool if it is.
Looks like, but hard to see and I may be wrong. Billington 16771454
Great stuff
Rod

**anton67** · 09-29-2016, 01:15 AM

To be more specific, it would be August - September 1943 produced McCord.
As a side note, it looks to possibly have had a field re-paint (that would account for the green paint on the chinstrap).
I can not say for sure however with the photos you have provided.
Even if it has had a field re-paint, it is a really nice helmet and the fact that it has laundry marks and the soldier's info makes it a really nice piece.
Congratulations!!

**busman** · 10-02-2016, 07:52 AM

by plumbob

looks like a nice set well done.
Is that another name and number on the pot, cool if it is.
Looks like, but hard to see and I may be wrong. Billington 16771454
Great stuff
Rod

the name reads Leo Billington, but I can't make the number out. I have found one Leo Billington enlisted 1941 but the parts of the service number I can read do not match.