Sabrejet Posted August 30, 2011 Share #1 Posted August 30, 2011 The following helmets are taken from my collection. I've photographed them chronologically in order to illustrate the evolution of the American combat helmet from 1940 to the present day. Not every single makers' variant is included, rather I've just selected an example of each basic type along the way. Each helmet is photographed twice, externally and internally to illustrate the gradually changing appearance. Firstly, an M1917-A1 from 1941. Essentially, an improved version of the WW1 British Brodie...M-1917 in American parlance. The improvements were to the internal suspension. This made it a more stable and comfortable helmet to wear but did nothing to improve its basically inadequate ballistic protection. The cork texture and web chinstrap/buckle arrangement was to be carried forward to the soon-to-arrive M-1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share #2 Posted August 30, 2011 The M-1, also from 1941. A revolutionary and ultra-modern design in its day. This is an early example with a Schleuter shell and third pattern Hawley fiber liner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted August 30, 2011 The Hawley fiber liner soon was found to be lacking so it was quickly replaced by liners constructed of laminated cotton duck...commonly referred to as "plastic" liners. The fixed-bail example here has Seaman's liner and is typical of the mid-war period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share #4 Posted August 30, 2011 Late-war M-1. This unissued example illustrates the M-1 as it looked by 1945. The chinstraps are now OD7 rather than OD3 and the shell has swivel bails and a rear seam manganese steel rim. The liner is a Westinghouse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted August 30, 2011 The principal WW2 variant was that issued to Airborne troops. This is a late M1-C with an Inland airborne liner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share #6 Posted August 30, 2011 Into the post-war period, some subtle changes were made. This M-1 dates from 1953...all of its major components, including the shell are dated! Note the OD7 suspension, green-painted hardware and T-1 chinstrap fastener. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share #7 Posted August 30, 2011 Early 60s M-1. Pretty much as per the late Korean War type but with black hardware, seen here with OD cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share #8 Posted August 30, 2011 Early VN War type M1. This version is transitional in that it retains the old WW2 type plastic liner but with the modernised suspension. Note that the straps are sewn on this example. Also, by this time, the Mitchell pattern camo cover was standard issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share #9 Posted August 30, 2011 Late VN War. Same basic configuration but now with a ballistic nylon liner. Also, beneath the cover the paint is now "apple green" rather than OD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share #10 Posted August 30, 2011 As in WW2 the principal variant was the one intended for Airborne troops. Here we have a late 60s M1-C with a Firestone liner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share #11 Posted August 30, 2011 By the late 70s/early 80s a new clip-on, quick-release chinstrap was added to M-1s and the Mitchell cover was replaced by the ERDL pattern, seen here. Otherwise, the basic helmet was essentially like the standard VN War type. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share #12 Posted August 30, 2011 This represents the ultimate development of the M1. It now has a different ballistic nylon liner and a suspension system which simply clips into place. Woodland camo is now standard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share #13 Posted August 30, 2011 Enter the controversial PASGT or "Kraut-pot", as it was disparagingly known. On seeing it for the first time, one WW2 vet has been quoted as saying.."S**t...I used to shoot at helmets like that!" The all-new helmet was formed from multiple layers of ballistic KEVLAR and had a distinctly "Germanic" shape. The suspension was yet another development of the old M1 arrangement and a similar quick-release chinstrap was used. The new helmet had a rough-textured OD finish but was invariably covered with either a woodland camo cover or desert camo, as seen here, Gulf War style. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share #14 Posted August 30, 2011 Finally, full circle into the 2000s and the advent of the Advanced Combat Helmet / ACH....son of PASGT! A smaller, lighter helmet with a revolutionary new suspension system comprised of removable pads which make it extremely comfortable to wear. Also, it has both neck and chin anchor-points making it very stable. The helmet is designed to accept a variety of kit, most commonly the front mounted night-vision aids. Covers in ACU universal camo and Multicam are available for this helmet. Thanks for looking! Sabrejet :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longbranch Posted August 30, 2011 Share #15 Posted August 30, 2011 Nice presentation! As usual, there is a detailed focus on the different varieties of the M1 helmet. However, there are quite a few different varieties of PASGT helmets, and different components used with them. It's very easy to gloss over the many varieties of PASGT, in contrast to the many detailed examinations of M1s. All you need to complete your set is a nice WW1 era M1917 and a few more PASGT pots, and maybe even an LWH (you might have a hard time getting one of those in the UK) Really cool set of helmets you have there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share #16 Posted August 30, 2011 Thank you. As I said...it's just a cross section. A good example of a WW1 M-1917 is on my "wants" list. They are out there but getting more expensive with each passing year. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercenary25 Posted August 30, 2011 Share #17 Posted August 30, 2011 Nice job! You forgot USMC LWH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted August 30, 2011 Share #18 Posted August 30, 2011 Ian, This is a wonderful reference thread for us newbies! Thanks so much for taking the time to document each one of the helmets. .....Kat PS. I am jealous of your helmet collections! Are you starting to have a shoebox like Ken? :w00t: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoovieDude Posted August 30, 2011 Share #19 Posted August 30, 2011 Nice Ian. I too have a couple samples of each style of the helmet evolution. Makes me fool old at times though, having worn the last three variants of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtdorango Posted August 30, 2011 Share #20 Posted August 30, 2011 Awesome helmet timeline!!!!!.....mike :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share #21 Posted August 30, 2011 Thanks for the positives lady and gentlemen! :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted August 30, 2011 Share #22 Posted August 30, 2011 Thanks for the positives lady and gentlemen! :thumbsup: Since I turn 50 soon, does that mean I will now be called "little old lady"? :pinch: Thanks again for the great thread....Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share #23 Posted August 30, 2011 Since I turn 50 soon, does that mean I will now be called "little old lady"? :pinch: Thanks again for the great thread....Kat Mrs Sabrejet turned 50 when we were Boston a few weeks ago. I don't think she'd take too kindly to being called "little old lady"!! :w00t: Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted August 30, 2011 Share #24 Posted August 30, 2011 Ian, Another of your threads that is destined to be pinned!! :thumbsup: Good work...!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share #25 Posted August 30, 2011 Ian,Another of your threads that is destined to be pinned!! :thumbsup: Good work...!! Maybe? Thanks JS! :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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