GeneralCheese Posted November 16, 2013 Share #1 Posted November 16, 2013 This is something that is not discussed often here, but I think there should be a condensed thread of all the helmets we own, steel or kevlar, that have been modified. While most modifications we see are post-war civilian modifications, we rarely see helmets that were modded by the armed forces. If you want to post helmets that were modified for civilian use, go ahead, but I think this thread would best be used for military modified helmets only. So dig them out of your collections, and post your modified flak helmets, M1s, kevlars, and whatever else here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted November 16, 2013 Share #2 Posted November 16, 2013 I don't think I've ever seen such a helmet, to be honest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralCheese Posted November 16, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted November 16, 2013 Here is my modified M1. It is a front-seam, stainless Schluether with original chinstraps, and a Vietnam liner glued inside. There are three layers of paint I can see, battleship gray, green, and the red. Welded on the front is a headlamp, and the remnants of the battery pack on the back are still there. This is a great example of a Navy repair team helmet, and the only one I have ever seen with the lamp welded on to the shell. The chinstraps show heavy rust, indicating exposure to salt water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted November 16, 2013 Share #4 Posted November 16, 2013 So who used that...a caver...a coal-miner? You need to be living in the US to see / find such helmets! Not much chance on this side of the pond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralCheese Posted November 16, 2013 Author Share #5 Posted November 16, 2013 So who used that...a caver...a coal-miner? You need to be living in the US to see / find such helmets! Not much chance on this side of the pond. Neither, all the signs point to this being a Navy repair team helmet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralCheese Posted November 16, 2013 Author Share #6 Posted November 16, 2013 Here is a modified M1-to-flak helmet I pulled out of the forum's reference: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted November 16, 2013 Share #7 Posted November 16, 2013 Now that's a modified helmet!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryM3 Posted November 16, 2013 Share #8 Posted November 16, 2013 Those early M-1 flak helmets, the ones with the area over the ears beat outwards, would be a classic example of a modified helmet. Just wish I had one to post sigh.... Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralCheese Posted November 16, 2013 Author Share #9 Posted November 16, 2013 Those early M-1 flak helmets, the ones with the area over the ears beat outwards, would be a classic example of a modified helmet. Just wish I had one to post sigh.... Larry Yup, sadly they are even harder to find since they were thrown away when real flak helmets were introduced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted November 16, 2013 Share #10 Posted November 16, 2013 The only one I've ever seen, essentially similar to the one above, is in a glass case at the American Air Museum at Duxford, England. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anton67 Posted November 17, 2013 Share #11 Posted November 17, 2013 Dont have one. Dont collect em either. Probably be a short thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavscout6b Posted November 18, 2013 Share #12 Posted November 18, 2013 This is a great example of a Navy repair team helmet, and the only one I have ever seen with the lamp welded on to the shell. I have seen 2 with a loop or slide welded to the front, and NEVER one with provision for the battery power pack. That is a rare bird indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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