Spanish helmets evolution from 1921 to 1985. Part 1 of 3.

[Jack59]

Picked up this very poor condition M1 in relic condition so can only think it was dredged up from the drink, going off the liner markings i am presuming it is Spanish used, the liner has a Westinghouse marking and is circled in what is left of a blue colouration , unsure if the shell is American but it does have fracture lines which i know hint it just might be, the liner is stuck fast and very brittle so don't want to disturb it

Hi James, bang on! M1 (second hand) used by Spanish paratroopers. The shell is US because part of the rim can be seen on one photo, the Spanish M65 was rimless, the liner was made of plastic. The liner is US refurbished by the Spaniards for paratrooper usage, have a look at the position of the rivets & part of the para version buckle still attached to the strap. Finally what is left of the webbing straps is the Spanish thicker type. The Spanish para painted the interior of the liner sky blue, yellow is perhaps one of a specialized trade attached with the airborne units.

Comparaison of liners:



Spanish webbing:



Thanks for showing, relics are interesting in their own way as we can see here.

[James C]

Excellent information Jack and have to say i have learned a lot so thanks for passing on your knowledge ,also the accompanying pictures are superb for comparing between a relic and a mint condition example so thank you for putting in the time and effort and bring some life back into my relic and how it would of looked off the shelf so to speak