FS/SB Full Colonel M1 Helmet

[Catfishcraig]

This came from a seller in Goodyear AZ with no history behind it. Its named on the shell near the back rim but the rust has covered it to the point Im having trouble making it out. Would appreciate if anyone can help.

 

Thanks

 

Craig

[Catfishcraig]

Pics

[Catfishcraig]

2

[Catfishcraig]

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[Catfishcraig]

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[Catfishcraig]

5

[Catfishcraig]

Name

[Catfishcraig]

Looks like COL _ _ _ LIAR

[doyler]

Maybe COLLIAR

 

Nice find Craig.

[Catfishcraig]

Thanks Ron

 

I dont suppose there is a way remove some of the rust to uncover the painted name? Im guessing he used paint to mark his name?

 

Also I was assuming that the CO at the beginning was COL. ??

[The Rooster]

I tried that. I keep coming up with a lot of Colonel Collier no Colliar

Looks likke COL and some initial and then the last name?

Maybe the last letter is a D? not an R? maybe its a P ???

[644td]

Good honest find and good looking bird.

 

Marty

[Catfishcraig]

Looking closer letters on the end are LAD?

[Catfishcraig]

M

[Catfishcraig]

M

[The Rooster]

Looks like the name is longer than first thought?

In the picture in post 7….

Is that a C at the end on the right? Or an O or something. How far do the letters go.?

[Catfishcraig]

Looks like the name is longer than first thought?

In the picture in post 7.

Is that a C at the end on the right? Or an O or something. How far do the letters go.?

Its hard to say. The truth is that there isnt enough exposed to positively ID it to anyone.

 

Thanks for the help

[Catfishcraig]

Good honest find and good looking bird.

 

Marty

Thank You

[stealthytyler]

I tried that. I keep coming up with a lot of Colonel Collier no Colliar

Looks likke COL and some initial and then the last name?

Maybe the last letter is a D? not an R? maybe its a P ???

 

I agree. It looks to me like COL (as in colonel) then initials followed by a last name.

 

I have used WHINK Rust Stain Remover a few times in the past to remove surface rust to help identify marked names. My results vary, so I would suggest you go very slow if you decide to do so. I generally soak the area, let sit for a short time, then rinse it off. I repeat the process until I get the results I'm looking for. Just note that too much can start to strip away paint.

[ccyooper]

Never seen Col insignia without arrows and it is facing the wrong way. Unusual.

[Catfishcraig]

Never seen Col insignia without arrows and it is facing the wrong way. Unusual.

Maybe I have it wrong? Ill look at it further

 

Thanks

[Catfishcraig]

Its not a perfect painted Colonel insignia but I believe the arrows are in the right foot of the eagle and the head is facing to the left just like the Colonel pin in post 16 of the below link.

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/38416-

 

As far as the direction the head is facing Ive found regulations pertaining to collars. Right collar head faces left and left collar head faces right, in the direction of the persons body. I couldnt find anything on which direction it should face on headgear.

 

Thanks

 

Craig

[ccyooper]

Unless you are in the Navy, Army Col hat insignia face to the wearers right. The eagle you show is a shoulder eagle for the right shoulder. The shoulder eagles face forward, right and left and the hat eagle faces to the wearers right. You could be correct on the arrows, hard to tell. Unless the negative is reversed, ive not noticed a COL getting it wrong on a helmet. Plus I dont think any of his peers or junior officers would let it go unnoticed either. Just an observation.

[Catfishcraig]

Ill agree with you that most of the Colonel helmets Ive found the bird is facing to the right. Ive looked but not yet found an Army regulation specifying which direction the eagle should face when worn on a helmet. Not at all saying there is not one, I just havent found it yet. I will say its not unprecedented, the posts below are a few Ive found. I think you have questioned at least one of these posts.

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/73836-us-colonel-m1-helmet/

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/203960-3-helmets-belong-to-same-colonel/?hl=%2Bcolonel+%2Bhelmet

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/200258-bird-colonel-helmet/?hl=%2Bcolonel+%2Bhelmet

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/324867-m1c-helmet-experts-comments-please/?hl=colonel&do=findComment&comment=2609153

 

The helmet shown is what it is. It was named but the rust has left it unreadable. It has no known history or story. One chinstraps has broken off and a few of the clips holding the sweatband have too. I bought it on eBay for a very reasonable price from a seller that I believe to be a pawn shop about 60 miles from my home. When I questioned the seller they had nothing on the helmet. The insignia on the liner was there before the rust and Im guessing the insignia on the lid was too. Your right, its unusual but one thing Ive learned collecting Militaria, there is a lot of unusual or uncommon.

 

Thanks for your comments. Ive learned a few things.

 

Craig

[manayunkman]

Are all officers crazy about their insignia?

 

When my brother in law became a Colonel I gave him a pair of WW2 sterling shoulder rank insignia as a gift thinking he would wear them.

 

Nope, they weren't regulation someone would spot them on his uniform and call him out.

 

Really?

 

That's a very cool helmet.