Front seam M1 arrived today

[theotherhomer]

Something I usually wont buy most of the time but when I saw this on ebay for 24$ I went for it. Its got one big stress crack in the front and 4 small ones in the back. There appears to be two black lines on the back also any one know what those mean? The paint is sunbaked and its a little rusty, also when did they stop making frontseam helmets?

[emileverbunt]

in october 1944 they switched to seam to the rear.

cheers,
emile

[theotherhomer]

I forgot to ask inn the the beginning, what was the reason to switching the seam to the rear of the helmet?

[emileverbunt]

The rim of the M1 was altered in the sense that a different steel was used to which the paint adhered better. At the same time the seam was placed at the rear.
Why is not known, as far as I know. It seems more logical to place it there, though!

Cheers,
Emile

[gaz232sqn]

That's a real salty M1, look's like it's been there,and seen it too

The two black lines could be a divisional marking, for ID.

Is it fixed loop or swivel ?
Fixed loop were made from 1941-1943,
Swivel bale made from November 1943- 1945.

Also can you make a heat stamp under the front brim ?.
This will also give you an approximate idea of it's age. And manufacturer.

Looks a good 'un.

[theotherhomer]

It was a fixed bale, I think the heat stamp might be under some rust near the front curve

[battle gear]

It was a fixed bale, I think the heat stamp might be under some rust near the front curve

J. Murray, INc, 1944 - M1 Helmets

they sell replacement fixed bales if wanted to restore it, but they require welding.

[theotherhomer]

I might restore it, don't know yet. if I am I can have a friends dad that can weld them on

[battle gear]

if it was mine I would just leave it as is and find a old worn liner for it to match

something to complete the set, for display

most soldiers didnt use the chin straps very often anyways, they would have still used it like that without straps.

[theotherhomer]

I decided to just leave it alone and plus I've got a old worn out liner that'll look good in it