US 101 Airborne?

**MG42UK** · 09-30-2018, 09:33 AM

Hi All

I'm not that experienced in the M1 helmet area, but recently came across this helmet from a dealer I have purchased from before that was being sold as a WW2 US airborne helmet from the 101st. The price was such that I am okay with it being a 'display piece' if not 100% authentic, but wanted to put it in front of the experts on that forum to see what feedback it got.

Pics as follows.

Thanks for any comments/feedback

**MG42UK** · 10-01-2018, 10:09 AM

Any feedback, anyone?

**reneblacky** · 10-01-2018, 10:22 AM

I'm a bit scared to reply these days on US stuff! but just a two cent opinion from me, I'm not liking the fluffy wear M1 chin strap, none of mine ever have this wear trait.

**Larry C** · 10-01-2018, 10:24 AM

Just my opinion as I have seen this same liner in Vietnam era helmets and not WW2.

Wait for more thoughts.

**Kohima** · 10-01-2018, 10:27 AM

A re-enactor piece, surely.

Cheers,
Bob

**greatwhite** · 10-01-2018, 10:35 AM

Looks dressed up to me, shell may well be period but the odds of it 101st are lets say very slim, the liner again looks to be put together, someone like Jake would be able to give you more information, if its cheap a good display piece.

**reneblacky** · 10-01-2018, 10:44 AM

Chin strap web is deffo reproduction just took a look at my rubbish!

**Kohima** · 10-01-2018, 10:51 AM

Looks like he got busted too!

Bob

**reneblacky** · 10-01-2018, 11:06 AM

Fluffy repro right

**Watchdog** · 10-01-2018, 11:19 AM

by greatwhite

Looks dressed up to me, shell may well be period but the odds of it 101st are lets say very slim, the liner again looks to be put together, someone like Jake would be able to give you more information, if its cheap a good display piece.

Yep, I agree that the fact that this seems to represent 2nd Bn 506th PIR 101 Abn Div would make it very expensive if genuine. Also I don't recall ever seeing the Ace of Spades with quite that shape especially the stem. As Bob says it appears the wearer may have been "busted" as the officer rank markings front and rear have been blacked out and replaced by the horizontal rear stripe for an NCO. Not a deal breaker in itself but this being done with black rather than green does seem a bit odd when there would be no trouble finding "rivers" of green paint during the supposed period. Also as mentioned above by Larry; the liner has the Westinghouse mark but I think the additional stamp below it (?D86?) and the absence of the frontal grommet indicates later production. I don't like the webbing / straps either which all look repro / re-manufactured plus I would expect to see much more evidence of wear in a piece supposedly 70+ years old.
It would be truly marvellous if it were a genuine "out of the woodwork" piece but if it was cheap enough it will stand duty as a display piece as a genuine one is more rare than chickens teeth!

Regards

Mark