Vietnam Helmet - SP5 - Trial-Liner

[Sleepwalker]

Hello,

I would like to introduce you to this M1 helmet from the Vietnam era today.

First to the hardware.

The helmet shell is from MC from WW2 production and was probably revised. The chin straps are fastened with clips.
The metal parts are early pieces from the 1950's / 1960's with olive paint. The buckle features the North & Judd anchor symbol.


































The helmet cover is from 1962 and bears this stamp

DSA-1-811-C-62 1




I did not remove the cover as the shell and cover had been together for a very long time.






The interesting thing is the Pattern 1964 liner. It appears to be an experimental helmet from 1962.
The year of manufacture 1963 with the contract date 1962 is indicated on the helmet.
At the top of the cathedral there is a paper label with the inscription "HAVEG. U.S.82"






It was painted black on the outside and holes were drilled through its carrier in the front. Possibly to attach a badge or insignia of rank.










The neckband also bears a manufacture date of 1963 with a contract number of 1962.
Likewise the sweatband.






There is also a name on the helmet. "SP5 Richard Schmirl" service number 133408968 was probably the last carrier. It is already a late 9 digit service number from 1969/1970.






I did some research on the internet and came across this information.





Maybe this is this soldier. It could come from age. He also seems to have been in Vietnam in the early 1970s.


The cover has some graffiti. I don't really understand some of them.












It says, among other things, "Litle Bighorn", "REM" or "GBB".

In addition, the rank and name do not match the liner? Or does "Sgt. Rock" mean the cartoon character?

Regards

[ruddersrangers44]

Sleepwalker does the Liner have a mold stamp mark.? super nice set.

[Sleepwalker]

Hello,

no, nowhere.

There is only the information on the webbing and on the paper label.





Regards

[sargetom]

Just an FYI, I believe the soldiers serial number was also his Social Security number which the Army used for several years. I joined in 1978 and they were using it then, one reason after I got out that I never used my military duffel bag as a piece of luggage when traveling through an airport!!

[Willmore]

Hi there.

I wonder if 'little Bighorn' could refer to the River or the famous Battle (Custers last stand).

River -
Little Bighorn River - Wikipedia

Battle -
Battle of the Little Bighorn - Location, Cause & Significance - HISTORY

Kind regards,

Will

[ruddersrangers44]

Thanks for the image it's a real shame there's not an actual mold stamp as i've waited a decade with baited breath hoping to actually see an example and when finally surfaces thanks to you it's in conclusive.the information is just so limited on these trial liners.but maybe in time we may learn more.

[Sleepwalker]

Hello,

I think this label replaces a casting number / mold stamp.
That would have to be the manufacturer "HAVEG U.S." and number of the mold "82".


Regards

[ruddersrangers44]

HAYEG U.S has to be related to either Westinghouse or General tyres as these we're the only two companies which was involved with the pilot scheme producing 5000 examples each and shipped them at great speed off to Vietnam.as this was General tyres one and only contract making M1 Helmet Liners no other examples or images seem to exist.however if this was indeed a Westinghouse example i truly believe it would still carry their famous "w" in a circle logo.personally i think it's G.T example,either way it's an incredible find and probably one of a kind.as it's the only one i've ever seen.so well done on securing this Liner sleepwalker.

[Sleepwalker]

The Manufacturer is more "HA VEG. U.S."

Whereby the HA are initials and the Veg. is probably an abbreviation