US M1 Combat Helmet with fixed bale and front seam. The M-1 helmet was developed as a replacement for the M-1917 helmet that had seen use since WW1. The M-1 helmet was approved for production in June of 1941. Early models had solid loops (fixed bale) for the chin straps but they broke off to often and were replaced with a moveable hinged loop. This is a helmet with the fixed bale loops and front seam stainless steel rim. The helmet shows the stamp numbers '12C', this indicates production by the 'McCord Radiator and Manufacturing Company' of Detroit. Inside the helmet shell a painted name 'Gilbert' and a with pencil writen name 'Stensgaard' are visible. The outside of the helmet is having a brass 1st Lieutenant's bar attached. The helmet is complete with its original chinstrap. The helmet comes with its original liner, the liner is complete with its original leather chinstrap. The helmet liner is marked with the logo of the 'Firestone' Company. The liner is in clearly worn condition, see photos. The outside of the liner is showing a painted on 1st Lieutenant's bar. The helmet comes with original small mesh type netting as found. Nice original 1st Lieutenant's M1 helmet!

This helmet originates from the collection of the recently closed Eyewitness Museum!