Purchased M1 Fixed Bale Helmet - Any Information Would Be Greatly Appreciated

[Mountaineer]

I am hesistant to put a date on the shell with just the heatnumber; there was a list published in a book by 2 French authors (their names escape me at the moment), but this list needs lots more research. The 'raised bar' on the chinstrap buckle does however indicated early- to midproduction, so 1943 might very well be correct. That would also fit the liner. The nape strap might be dated.

I still think your helmet was repainted, but it still has the original ground cork finish, and as stated earlier repainting was normal maintenance. It is a nice, original standard helmet.



Greetz

David

[Mountaineer]

I am hesistant to put a date on the shell with just the heatnumber; there was a list published in a book by 2 French authors (their names escape me at the moment), but this list needs lots more research. The 'raised bar' on the chinstrap buckle does however indicated early- to midproduction, so 1943 might very well be correct. That would also fit the liner. The nape strap might be dated.

I still think your helmet was repainted, but it still has the original ground cork finish, and as stated earlier repainting was normal maintenance. It is a nice, original standard helmet.



Greetz



David

The book you speak of is, "Helmets of the ETO" by Regis GIARD and Frederic BLAIS. THe steel plate productin # is used in the chart on page 27 of this book. The # is located under the brim of McCord made helmets. It is the closes way to date McCord M-1s that i know of. If you collect M-1s this book and the book "The M-1 Helmet of the WWII GI " by Pieter Oosterman are must haves. JMHO Rich