US M1 Combat Helmet '35th Infantry Division'
US M1 Combat Helmet. 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 is complete with its original chinstrap. The helmet comes with its original liner, the liner is complete with its leather chinstrap. The helmet liner is marked by 'Firestone'. The liner is in overall good used and worn condition showing some small damages. The outside of the inner helmet is showing a painted on blue-white cogwheel logo of the US '35th Infantry Division'. The Division landed on Omaha Beach, Normandy on 5–7 July 1944 and entered combat on 11 July, fighting in the Normandy hedgerows north of St. Lo. The 35th moved to Arlon, Belgium on December 25–26, and took part in the fighting to relieve Bastogne. Later the Division was moved to the Netherlands to hold a defensive line along the Roer on 22 February 1945, the division attacked across the Roer on 23 February, pierced the Siegfried Line and reached the Rhine at Wesel on 10 March 1945. This helmet has been published in the book 'M-1 Helmet of the World War II GI' by 'Pieter Oosterman'. Rare and interesting original M1 helmet in good used condition!