2ndInf.Div. Posted March 8, 2014 Share #1 Posted March 8, 2014 Hello everyone! I'm happy to say I got my first Hawley liner at the SOS last Saturday. For $40, I figured I'd match it with my 1941 M1 shell. But there's a catch: the entire suspension has been removed. I was wanting an opinion on whether I should leave it be, or put a new suspension and chinstrap in it. Of course, locating an original suspension kit and slide buckle chinstrap would take a long time, or I would never find one at all. So if I were to do this, it would be with a repro rayon kit. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted March 8, 2014 Share #2 Posted March 8, 2014 I think you are right when you suggest that locating an original "spare" suspension would be verging on the impossible. So, realistically, your options would be to leave it as-is or to fit a repro suspension, such as those produced by Josh Murray. However, this would likely cost more than you actually paid for the liner itself. Decision time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2ndInf.Div. Posted March 8, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted March 8, 2014 I would think that the liner is already worth more than I paid anyway. $40 for a Hawley, albeit no suspension, seemed like a steal. Makes for a good filler! I don't think I would be lowering the value at all if I put a repro suspension in it. If it would, I would probably not put it in there though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelligerentBlue Posted March 8, 2014 Share #4 Posted March 8, 2014 I think it would vary on how you sold it to if it came down to that. I know some people don't mind repro stuff... but myself, I HATE it. I'd rather have the bare shell than it with a repro suspension. But to each their own, and I'm sure some people would like to have it with a repro than nothing at all. So what do YOU want to do with it. Either way you'll be able to sell it when it came time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted March 8, 2014 Share #5 Posted March 8, 2014 Scroll down. http://www.jmurrayinc1944.com/parts-restoration-supplies/liner-web-kits/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2ndInf.Div. Posted March 8, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted March 8, 2014 I also forgot to mention that the spot where the middle nape strap rivet goes has a big hole in it, so that spot would have to be left blank. If I do go through with this, this is not a task that I'll be doing myself. I have no clue how to properly rivet a suspension into a liner. I know someone who does though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted March 8, 2014 Share #7 Posted March 8, 2014 Remember...beneath the fabric, Hawleys are simply compressed cardboard. If the original rivets have been ripped out, the chances are that their holes have been slightly enlarged or deformed in some way and therefore might not readily accept replacement rivets anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWII_GI Posted March 8, 2014 Share #8 Posted March 8, 2014 If the webbing was torn out and there are holes I don't think the liner could be restored. http://www.m1helmetdepot.com has original webbing for sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted March 8, 2014 Share #9 Posted March 8, 2014 Well there you go! For just $75 you have your best chance of restoring it with original parts...which don't show up every day of the week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2ndInf.Div. Posted March 8, 2014 Author Share #10 Posted March 8, 2014 Funny....I got the liner from them at the show haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted March 8, 2014 Share #11 Posted March 8, 2014 Funny....I got the liner from them at the show haha Really? I wonder where that suspension came from?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWII_GI Posted March 8, 2014 Share #12 Posted March 8, 2014 Really? I wonder where that suspension came from?! I saw the liner shell on his website before the show, the webbing might have come from this liner... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2ndInf.Div. Posted March 9, 2014 Author Share #13 Posted March 9, 2014 I don't think so. Looking at the suspension kit on the website, 2 or 3 of the rivets are still in the main suspension. The rivets where those go are still in my liner. The 3 nape rivets are missing though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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