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Raised Bar Buckle on Swivel bail Helmets


Schnicklfritz
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Schnicklfritz

Wanted to ask if it is proper or possible that an early raised bar buckle that you see on the M17A1 or the early M1 fixed bail helmet chinstraps could be seen on a swivel bail helmet chinstrap? I would think not, but I have seen 2 swivel bail helmets that have had them recently. I don't have any books that can help me answer this, so I thought I would bring it up here for discussion. Appreciate any input!

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It's not uncommon to see swivel bail helmets with early war chin strap hardware. The theory I have is similar with how Willys Jeeps were assembled when you find an earlier numbered body on a later frame.

 

During manufacturing you have dedicated employees who all they do is assemble chin straps. They get containers of hardware and stack/line them up ready for assembly. Once the stock begins to deplete, they replenish it by stacking new stock on top/in front of the original stock. The bottom/back of the original stock remains untouched since they grab from the first containers they see or can get to. Eventually the original stock gets cycled out later in production after that design was discontinued. This is my theory to explain early hardware on later helmets.

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I agree. They were making helmets for war, not for the future collectors. They used what they had on hand. As collectors, I think we sometimes get too bogged down in details. It was war...

C

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I have two McCords with raised bar buckles on 600 range heat stamp numbers, swivel loops. As has been said, I think they used what they had

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Schnicklfritz

Thanks fellas. That would make sense about the rotation of stocks. I just thought it was unusual and really never noticed them before for some reason.

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As with all helmets, I would be extra careful to check the stitching on the chinstrap as well as the heat stamp. It isn't unheard of, but it is somewhat uncommon.

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Schnicklfritz

Not only that, I noticed that M1 shells in the 600-749 range tend to have a mix of steel and brass hardware too!

 

 

Well. After pulling out helmets out of boxes, I have found that I actually have 2 that have the raised buckle on the dark OD green chinstrap. Front seam, swivel bail in the 600 range. Funny I didn't notice it before. Getting old and feeble minded I suppose!

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Schnicklfritz

As with all helmets, I would be extra careful to check the stitching on the chinstrap as well as the heat stamp. It isn't unheard of, but it is somewhat uncommon.

 

That is what I was suspicious of. Have seen a lot of original chinstraps for sale on the auction site and also some dealer sites. The two were touted as USMC helmets which they could very well be with the color of the paint. The paint was on the chinstrap by the bail and on thickly which really made me suspicious.

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