M1 Evaluation

[Walkwolf]

It looks like one - but it is not. 'Talker' cups are elongated.
( Doesn't belong on the helmet anyway ! )


If it were me, I would give it a good bath.........

[helmet2id]

The chin strap reminds me of the Naval Talker helmet version?

That is what I think it is, and these were not used with M1 steel pots.

[MySonsDad]

I think HoovyDude has it right on the chin strap, was my thought before I read the commnets. I have one in my hand and it looks near identical, with the springs exchanged for what ever leather device the helmet owner replaced with.

[Nitram]

Thanks for the info lads. I'll give the helmet a good clean once it arrives, and post an update.

Nitram

[MySonsDad]

Could it be a (highly unlikely) field mod? It looks like it's been put together like that a while.

You'll be able to better determine once you get it in your hands and make a closer inspection. Looks to be a rear seam (possibly a Schlueter?). If in fact it can be determined that the chin strap is that of a Talker Helmet and the shell can be dated WWII then it would not be an unlikely senario that some sailor replaced his tattered M-1 chin strap with one of those cool ones his buddy had. On the long shot that this could be the case, I'd leave the helmet as is.

[Nitram]

It's arrived, taking a close look at it, I think it's a post war manufacture.
Heat stamp is 7371, and it also has an ink stamp of some sort which seems to read 07, anyone know the meaning of this? I tried to fit in a a Belgian Liner, just to see how it fits, and the back of the shell came short compared to the liner (last picture), I read somewhere that this is the main difference between WWII and Nam era shells, am I correct?






The chinstrap is indeed one off a Talker helmet, where these still in use in the era? They look like they've been together a while.

I'm going to treat the leather as it's rather dry and feels fragile. Any opinions on weather to keep the shell salty or give it a nice clean?

Nitram

[emileverbunt]

Hi Nitram,

Have a look at this link. It might be a Swedish/German strap? Sueco Talker Mº 59

Cheers,
Emile

[Nitram]

I don't think so Emile, the Swedish/German ones seem to have little rivets holding the ends of the adjustable straps on, while the ends here are sewn together.

These are the rivets I refer to:


I'll post detailed pictures of the chinstrap once it's cleaned up. It's a dark colour atm; black almost. Not sure if that's the age or it was issued like that; or if someone went over it with black dye at some point.

Nitram

[MySonsDad]

Personally, I find this M-1 very intriguing. To me, it looks to be a salty old shipboard helmet, probably pieced together by some deck hand. As the talker chin straps looked a bit more comfortable and were likely readily available aboard ships, with a little modification he had himself another non-regulation Navy M-1. I really can not see any other senario that would have gotten this helmet this way as the Talker chin straps were only used by the navy.

[emileverbunt]

Yes, Nitram. It looks like your are correct! I look forward to seeing the pics of the strap.

Emile

I don't think so Emile, the Swedish/German ones seem to have little rivets holding the ends of the adjustable straps on, while the ends here are sewn together.

These are the rivets I refer to:


I'll post detailed pictures of the chinstrap once it's cleaned up. It's a dark colour atm; black almost. Not sure if that's the age or it was issued like that; or if someone went over it with black dye at some point.

Nitram