Johan Willaert Posted December 29, 2007 Share #1 Posted December 29, 2007 The back cover of the January issue of the French Militaria Magazine features an add for the long awaited new book by Histoire & Collections about the M1 Helmet of WW2. The book seems to be available in French only (for the time being???), has 196 pages, 700+ photos and is being sold in Europe for 44 Euro. From what I see on the add, the books shows more than 120 original helmets from the ETO, with shots of all details of each helmet, and the book's subtitle is Historical and Technical Guide... Looks promising.... Johan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgawne Posted December 30, 2007 Share #2 Posted December 30, 2007 It will be in English at the same time. US price I think will be about $65 retail and I see amazon has it for $40 now. (pre order) 978-2-35250-062-9 For the size it seems like H+C prices are going up, probably because of the crappy low dollar. I've seen a few pages and I was impressed. Nice charts and graphs about the various types of fittings. I am looking forward to seeing it as I have heard a lot about it. One of my friends did a lot of the photography of the helets and said there are some very cool ones. It gets hard when you have different books on the same subject coming out around the same time. Lots of hurt feelings and friends stuck in the middle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedie Posted December 31, 2007 Share #3 Posted December 31, 2007 me again Here is the back and front covers of the English version... soon out Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seabee Posted January 2, 2008 Share #4 Posted January 2, 2008 Hi Fred Where and when will this English version M1 book available in Belgium or The Netherlands? Aad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted January 2, 2008 Author Share #5 Posted January 2, 2008 Aad, I've contacted Mr Charbonnier, Editor of Militaria Magazine and he wrote me the English version will be available this month. It will be for sale thru the usual H&C Retail sellers.... for Belgium: De Krijger amongst others Johan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgawne Posted January 2, 2008 Share #6 Posted January 2, 2008 Anyway I am really looking forward to this book which I have heard so much about. Did you include any of the helmst that were in the OLD Omaha Beach museum (Marcel Leveel) collection? Just Curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedie Posted January 3, 2008 Share #7 Posted January 3, 2008 Anyway I am really looking forward to this book which I have heard so much about. Did you include any of the helmst that were in the OLD Omaha Beach museum (Marcel Leveel) collection? Just Curious. maybe... in fact I'm not old enough to know this museum we got pots from a new museum with some killers: the Big Red One Assault Museum, in Colleville-sur-Mer, near the cemetery and between Wn60 and Wn62. tweedie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hill 84 Posted January 5, 2008 Share #8 Posted January 5, 2008 Hi Fred Where and when will this English version M1 book available in Belgium or The Netherlands? Aad Here you can... http://www.wo2shop.nl/shop/product.asp?l1=...0&prod=4864 Hill 84 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgawne Posted January 5, 2008 Share #9 Posted January 5, 2008 Marcel Leveel used to run the Museum at Omaha, in Vierville. He had done so for many many years long before anyone cared of this stuff, and people in the area would just drop stuff off at his door. He had a very nice large rack of painted helmets that came from the area. The town closed it down for some reason (I was told they wanted to get away from being thought of as a 'War location" as it hurt their tourism. Then SPR came out and ... whoops! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidji67 Posted January 18, 2008 Share #10 Posted January 18, 2008 We have now two great books about M-1 helmets, so dont worry, be happy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgawne Posted January 21, 2008 Share #11 Posted January 21, 2008 In case anyone in the USA wants to know, the H+C book just left Europe on the boat. Assuming all things go well and a giant squid does not drag it to a watery grave, it should take 3 weeks before it starts shipping here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted January 21, 2008 Author Share #12 Posted January 21, 2008 Thanks Jon, Phil C just let me know today it should be available from major US bookstores first week of February... Johan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted January 26, 2008 Author Share #13 Posted January 26, 2008 I have cleaned up this topic and deleted non-related posts and discussions, as I felt it did not add to the topic... I have read the English edition and I'm very impressed.... Here's my short review.... The book has been written by two, to me previously unknown, French collectors. They have subtitled the book ‘A Historical and Technical Guide’ and that’s just what it is… After a rather poignant testimony about his battle experience by a veteran of the 42nd ID, the book starts with a technical description of all parts and details of the M1 helmet shell, liner and its components. These different details are shown next to graphic icons, which are used further in the book to describe the different pots. These details are not really new, and have been printed in other works such as Reynosa’s or Dutchman Pete’s books. But here there are nicely illustrated with both pictures and detailed drawings. The chapter takes you thru different makers, snaps, buckles, headbands, studs, etc with great detail… Airborne liners from St Clair, Inland and Westinghouse are nicely described and should end discussions on 1944 use of the Westinghouse green strap/wire buckle combination and whether or not the Westinghouse with cast buckle was already in use on D-Day… The Technical chapter ends with clear tables which allow for easy identification of each type of liner and shell and enable the collector to establish if all parts of the helmet fit the correct timeframe. These tables use the graphic icons introduced before. As far as I know, a table allowing to determine the month of manufacture of a shell by its lot number, has been published for the first time…. I could not see any real errors except for a typo in Paragraph 6-5 where the type M-1C with a production of 392.000 is printed for the D-bail M2 Helmet, instead of the M2 Type produced in 148.000 pieces… (This typo was observed in the English version, I don’t know if it’s in the French edition too). Next is a chapter about the application of unit insignia on shells and liners. From here on the authors have used examples of painted helmets of different collections, describing each helmet with one or two large pictures, with several smaller images underneath. Also again using the graphic icons, one can easily find out more about the different details that make up each helmet. Following chapter shows many helmets with Rank Insignia, some with additional unit markings and NCO/Off bars… Then comes the chapter titled Specialties, showing helmets from Engineers, Correspondents, Medics, Chaplains,…. This is followed by Camouflaged helmets, either with paint, nets or both, after which some Customized examples are shown, to end with Helmets showing impacts, which may or may not have killed the wearer… The chapter Relics ends it all with several dug-up helmets showing real wear and all telling their own history…. The helmets shown in the book are credited to different collections, some well known and from forum members, some from anonymous collectors. They are all attributed to units that fought in the ETO, both US and French, so you will not find any PTO helmets in this book, which makes sense since the title says ETO… One thing that surprised me is that, although the details about the swivel loop M1 are shown in the first chapter, no swivel loop helmets show up in the next chapters (unless I missed one…?) I don’t know if this is intentional… No doubt the authors can give their opinion or reason for doing this….. Do I recommend getting this book? YES! While I’m sure some helmets in the book are well known by many collectors, the tables describing the different types alone are well worth the price….. This book is a great addition to Steel Pots, Reynosa’s and Pete’s books and together they tell the complete story of the M1…. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidji67 Posted January 26, 2008 Share #14 Posted January 26, 2008 .... Here's my short review.... I could not see any real errors except for a typo in Paragraph 6-5 where the type M-1C with a production of 392.000 is printed for the D-bail M2 Helmet, instead of the M2 Type produced in 148.000 pieces… (This typo was observed in the English version, I don’t know if it’s in the French edition too). Hi Johan, Not typo error in the french edition Thank's for your rewiew, it's really a good book for me too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hill 84 Posted January 27, 2008 Share #15 Posted January 27, 2008 One thing that surprised me is that, although the details about the swivel loop M1 are shown in the first chapter, no swivel loop helmets show up in the next chapters (unless I missed one…?) I don’t know if this is intentional… No doubt the authors can give their opinion or reason for doing this….. Johan, thanks for the review. Page 56 and 109 display swivel bales. This book is definitely not "strictly fixed bales" but (All) Helmets of the ETO. Hill 84 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted January 28, 2008 Author Share #16 Posted January 28, 2008 Page 56 and 109 display swivel bales. This book is definitely not "strictly fixed bales" but (All) Helmets of the ETO. Yes, indeed..... Must have missed those.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedie Posted January 28, 2008 Share #17 Posted January 28, 2008 Thanks for the review Johan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willysmb44 Posted March 7, 2008 Share #18 Posted March 7, 2008 Then comes the chapter titled Specialties, showing helmets from Engineers, Correspondents... Hmm. I wonder who's they used? I know Howell Dood (war artist, Associated Press) donated his stuff to a museum at Coville Su-Mer (sorry for butchering the spelling) but I've never seen it or a photo. Man, I'd love to know if it was his pot.Sounds like I'll need to get it as well. I never got the 'helmet lust' that many here have, but I love a good reference book, especially when HC does it about US stuff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hill 84 Posted March 7, 2008 Share #19 Posted March 7, 2008 Hmm. I wonder who's they used? I know Howell Dood (war artist, Associated Press) donated his stuff to a museum at Coville Su-Mer (sorry for butchering the spelling) but I've never seen it or a photo. Man, I'd love to know if it was his pot.Sounds like I'll need to get it as well. I never got the 'helmet lust' that many here have, but I love a good reference book, especially when HC does it about US stuff! The helmet presented in "Helmets of the ETO" book, belonged to Capt. J.C. Veragen. This helmet was found with other Veragen's belongings in a trunk, in a house near Paris, about 20 years ago. Hill 84. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted March 7, 2008 Author Share #20 Posted March 7, 2008 I know Howell Dood (war artist, Associated Press) donated his stuff to a museum at Coville Su-Mer (sorry for butchering the spelling) but I've never seen it or a photo. Lee, I must have some photos of the Dodd group laying around, dating back to pre-digital times. I will try to dig them up and scan them to post here next week... IIRC they have his Service Uniform, Cap and Musette Bag along with other stuff there. Can't recall if his helmet's there. If I can't find the photos, I will take some next June for you... Johan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pchepurko Posted March 21, 2008 Share #21 Posted March 21, 2008 I just received my copy and it is a great help to a new collector. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2970642 Posted June 8, 2010 Share #22 Posted June 8, 2010 Hey i got a M1 helmet it has 3 bales they all swivel it has no chin strap and i want to restore it can I get some help? I need to no when it was manufactured. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugme Posted June 8, 2010 Share #23 Posted June 8, 2010 Hey i got a M1 helmet it has 3 bales they all swivel it has no chin strap and i want to restore it can I get some help? I need to no when it was manufactured. It's not a U.S. helmet, it's probably Israeli. Also, This item shouldn't be posted here. This is a book report section. Please take some time to familiarize yourself with the different sections of the forum so that your questions are posted in the area that will get you the best responses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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