Grant G. Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 ADMIN NOTE: after discussing this with Grant, he has informed me that the chart is still a work in progress. I am pinning it as a reference but, all should be aware that it is not a perfect chart. Scott (Bugme) Schlueter produced 2,000,000 steel shells during WWII and I feel as though I have looked at every single one the past few days. Below, in the attached images, are my findings regarding Schlueter produced helmets, their lot numbers, loop variation, seam placement, rim construction, and chinstrap configuration. I have filled in with red text the common dates attributed to characteristic changes such as, the transition from front to rear seam, fixed loops to swivel loops, etc. As for lot 199A, this lot precedes December 1943 due to its participation in a metallurgical examination that took place at that time. This chart is by no means set in stone; it is definitely possible that their are helmets out there that would alter transition dates, however I can assure you that the helmets below were included with much scrutiny. If a configuration seemed suspect, I would not add it without seeing photos. If I was unable to tell whether the straps were OD#3 or just really faded OD#7 it didn't get included. I made no assumptions regarding lot numbers, if it was not perfectly clear it did not get added. That being said, if you have a helmet that meets the criteria and is not already on the chart, please by all means post your findings. To keep the thread clean please do not post duplicates. If anyone would like the chart in Microsoft Excel format feel free to email me at Circa1941@gmail.com and I will gladly send you over a file so you can update it as you wish. Thank you to everyone for your contributions in making this chart possible and happy holidays! Circa1941.com Instagram.com/Circa1941 Facebook.com/Circa1941 Link to post Share on other sites
Grant G. Posted December 23, 2014 Author Share Posted December 23, 2014 . Circa1941.com Instagram.com/Circa1941 Facebook.com/Circa1941 Link to post Share on other sites
Grant G. Posted December 23, 2014 Author Share Posted December 23, 2014 . Circa1941.com Instagram.com/Circa1941 Facebook.com/Circa1941 Link to post Share on other sites
Grant G. Posted December 23, 2014 Author Share Posted December 23, 2014 . Circa1941.com Instagram.com/Circa1941 Facebook.com/Circa1941 Link to post Share on other sites
38Driver Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 Thanks for taking the time to pull that together. Who had the 10A? I'd love to see that one Link to post Share on other sites
Grant G. Posted December 23, 2014 Author Share Posted December 23, 2014 Who had the 10A? I'd love to see that one That one belonged to an eBay seller by the name man_of_java. I found his helmet through worthpoint.com, however the photo of the lot number was no longer available, so I ended up messaging him to see if he still had it on file. Thankfully he did! http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/army-wwii-m1-helmet-fixed-bail-469679387 Circa1941.com Instagram.com/Circa1941 Facebook.com/Circa1941 Link to post Share on other sites
aef1917 Posted December 24, 2014 Share Posted December 24, 2014 Nice job. Some quick arithmetic suggests that there were roughly 3,500 blanks per lot if your last recorded lot number is close to the end. Link to post Share on other sites
Grant G. Posted December 24, 2014 Author Share Posted December 24, 2014 Nice job. Some quick arithmetic suggests that there were roughly 3,500 blanks per lot if your last recorded lot number is close to the end. Thank you, I do know Schlueter didn't really get into a rhythm until 1944 when they made 1,398,995 helmets out of their total 2 million. So it most likely wasn't an even distribution of helmets per lot; the 1944 lots were probably much larger. Circa1941.com Instagram.com/Circa1941 Facebook.com/Circa1941 Link to post Share on other sites
aef1917 Posted December 24, 2014 Share Posted December 24, 2014 I suspect the size of the lots of blanks from Sharon Steel remained fairly constant. Each Schlueter lot number corresponds to a single heat from Sharon Steel. Link to post Share on other sites
Burning Hazard Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 Before this thread gets buried, I would like to petition for this to be pinned on top. I think it's great reference put together by the Steel and Kevlar Helmets team that many new collectors to the Schlueter world could use (and expand) in the future. Pat Link to post Share on other sites
TALBERT Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 Before this thread gets buried, I would like to petition for this to be pinned on top. Pat I Agree with Pat Talbert Link to post Share on other sites
stealthytyler Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 BTT this is a great reference Link to post Share on other sites
Adg105200 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 Great reference! Out of the 4 Schlueter shells I have, only one has the straps. It is lot 323A, which has OD#3 straps, flat steel buckles, and LOOKS to be a stainless rim (is it possible to have different rims within a lot?). Anyone else have any variations from the above chart? Andrew Link to post Share on other sites
Grant G. Posted May 11, 2018 Author Share Posted May 11, 2018 Great reference! Out of the 4 Schlueter shells I have, only one has the straps. It is lot 323A, which has OD#3 straps, flat steel buckles, and LOOKS to be a stainless rim (is it possible to have different rims within a lot?). Andrew, there are a couple other examples around the 320 mark in which both manganese and stainless steel was used as rim material within the same lot number. This was likely a transitional period for Schlueter, using up old stock while introducing the new. Thanks to Bugme for pinning this topic! For those who have examples not detailed on the chart, please send me photos! Circa1941.com Instagram.com/Circa1941 Facebook.com/Circa1941 Link to post Share on other sites
Adg105200 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 I will check my other shells and post a few pictures later tonight or tomorrow. Andrew Link to post Share on other sites
Adg105200 Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 Here are a few photos of my Schlueter 323A shell. Andrew Link to post Share on other sites
Adg105200 Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 Pic #3 If you also need a picture of the lot # I could try. It is a light strike and a bit difficult to see, especially with a camera. I also have other Schlueter shells, but none with straps. #s 408A: manganese rim, front seam, swivel bail. And # 387A: manganese rim, front seam, swivel bail. And a # 375A which matches the chart. I did however refinish at least one, and I believe the other has a Korean era dark OD with sand texture. Andrew Link to post Share on other sites
Bugme Posted May 15, 2018 Share Posted May 15, 2018 Pic #3 IMG_20180512_133323-994x453.jpg If you also need a picture of the lot # I could try. It is a light strike and a bit difficult to see, especially with a camera. I also have other Schlueter shells, but none with straps. #s 408A: manganese rim, front seam, swivel bail. And # 387A: manganese rim, front seam, swivel bail. And a # 375A which matches the chart. I did however refinish at least one, and I believe the other has a Korean era dark OD with sand texture. Andrew Actually the Lot number is what is most needed and a photo offers proof. To everyone, post the Lot number and include the Schlueter "S" in your photo's. Thanks! "There is no such thing as an expert, only students with different levels of education." Link to post Share on other sites
Adg105200 Posted May 15, 2018 Share Posted May 15, 2018 Here we go. A bit difficult to see, but not too bad. Andrew Link to post Share on other sites
245T AO Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Hello, first time contributor long time member. I have recently purchased a fixed bail Helmet with a frog skin cover and as I was entering it into my Excel data base I noticed the heat stamp number of 09A S clearly stamped on the inside rim where it should be. I am excited to find that according to the information here within it may be among the earliest ones made. I have collected US militaria for over 30 years and for most of those years have put helmets on the top of my list of collectible items. Keep up the great forum it has provided me a wealth of information regarding a number of topics. Thanks Larry.... Our freedom comes at a great cost to our servicemen and women, all gave some, some gave all. for this I am grateful. Larry............. Link to post Share on other sites
CWG Posted May 19, 2018 Share Posted May 19, 2018 I have helmet 387A and it is front seam, not rear There Are No Atheists in Foxholes -Anonymous My account is in honor of my late great, Grandfather SSGT Joseph M Gill WW2 - Korea Veteran. We miss you every day. Always Interested in 77th Division Items WW1-WW2! Link to post Share on other sites
CWG Posted May 19, 2018 Share Posted May 19, 2018 Does anybody know who has the 10A helmet? There Are No Atheists in Foxholes -Anonymous My account is in honor of my late great, Grandfather SSGT Joseph M Gill WW2 - Korea Veteran. We miss you every day. Always Interested in 77th Division Items WW1-WW2! Link to post Share on other sites
denfly Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 I have helmet 387A and it is front seam, not rear Link to post Share on other sites
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