Burning Hazard Posted August 13, 2015 Share #1 Posted August 13, 2015 Has anyone ever come across a 91st ID painted M1 helmet from WW2? In all my life I have seen only one original M1 that was painted with the iconic green 91st ID pine tree on the front; it was a relic helmet that was photographed just after it was pulled from the ground somewhere in Italy. I have been unable to locate that picture because the website that hosted it went down years ago... Anyone seen any other originals? Regards Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B24AT6 Posted August 13, 2015 Share #2 Posted August 13, 2015 Pat, I have seen one original liner/pot set in a collector's hands but that is the only one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GITom1944 Posted August 13, 2015 Share #3 Posted August 13, 2015 I've never seen one except in this photo: Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkash23686 Posted August 14, 2015 Share #4 Posted August 14, 2015 I've seen two legit ones both liner and lid were marked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burning Hazard Posted August 14, 2015 Author Share #5 Posted August 14, 2015 Thanks for the replies guys, that also a pretty sweet picture of a 91st ID helmet in wear; I don't think I've seen a photo like that. I suppose 91st helmet's are not as "hot" as D-Day or Airborne helmets in the collecting world and original surviving samples seem extremely scarce, hope to see an original some day when it resurfaces. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbinephalen Posted August 14, 2015 Share #6 Posted August 14, 2015 A nice liner! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfryar44 Posted August 14, 2015 Share #7 Posted August 14, 2015 I have a 91st marked fixed bail with the matching liner that I picked up recently at the TN Militaria Collectors Show last April. Will post some pictures tomorrow morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted August 14, 2015 Share #8 Posted August 14, 2015 I have a 91st marked fixed bail with the matching liner that I picked up recently at the TN Militaria Collectors Show last April. Will post some pictures tomorrow morning. I look forward to seeing that set. Yes please post. Troy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted August 15, 2015 Share #9 Posted August 15, 2015 I don't have a WWII "M1 Helmet", but a can share my early WWII 91st Unit marked "Kelly Helmet" from my collection. I used to have some period pictures of the 91st all in marked Kelly helmets, but I can't find them now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted August 15, 2015 Share #10 Posted August 15, 2015 I don't have a WWII "M1 Helmet", but a can share my early WWII 91st Unit marked "Kelly Helmet" from my collection. I used to have some period pictures of the 91st all in marked Kelly helmets, but I can't find them now. DSCN6224aa.jpg DSCN6230aa.jpg DSCN6231aa.jpg Troy, It looks like the texture was "cut out" on the surface before it was painted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted August 15, 2015 Share #11 Posted August 15, 2015 Troy, It looks like the texture was "cut out" on the surface before it was painted. Yes, I think it's actually called "incised" Markings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfryar44 Posted August 15, 2015 Share #12 Posted August 15, 2015 Here's my helmet that I picked up at the TN Militaria Collectors Association show last April. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfryar44 Posted August 15, 2015 Share #13 Posted August 15, 2015 Liner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugme Posted August 15, 2015 Share #14 Posted August 15, 2015 Awesome helmet and liner combo! First legit one I've ever seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfryar44 Posted August 15, 2015 Share #15 Posted August 15, 2015 Inside of liner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtdorango Posted August 15, 2015 Share #16 Posted August 15, 2015 Bazingaroony thats a killer helmet!!!........mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfryar44 Posted August 15, 2015 Share #17 Posted August 15, 2015 More pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfryar44 Posted August 15, 2015 Share #18 Posted August 15, 2015 Last photo. Thanks fellas! Bfryar44 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted August 15, 2015 Share #19 Posted August 15, 2015 Wow, great helmet set. The insignia on the shell looks like it was sprayed on while the one on the liner looks like hand painted on. Also looks like the insignia on the liner was painted on twice, with another one underneath. Have you been able to ID you guy? Great "one looker" set. Troy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David D Posted August 15, 2015 Share #20 Posted August 15, 2015 Bryan, That is a beautiful set. Thanks for sharing Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burning Hazard Posted August 15, 2015 Author Share #21 Posted August 15, 2015 Bryan, that helmet looks spectacular! Thanks for sharing! I gotta say, these WW2 91st ID painted M1 helmets are up there with the airborne M1's in terms of rarity; plenty of painted M1917's but the M1's seem very elusive. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted August 15, 2015 Share #22 Posted August 15, 2015 Bryan, that helmet looks spectacular! Thanks for sharing! I gotta say, these WW2 91st ID painted M1 helmets are up there with the airborne M1's in terms of rarity; plenty of painted M1917's but the M1's seem very elusive. Pat Yes and interesting they dropped the "91" being painted in the pine tree of the M1's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfryar44 Posted August 15, 2015 Share #23 Posted August 15, 2015 Wow, great helmet set. The insignia on the shell looks like it was sprayed on while the one on the liner looks like hand painted on. Also looks like the insignia on the liner was painted on twice, with another one underneath. Have you been able to ID you guy? Great "one looker" set. Troy Thanks Troy, Yes the liner insignia was definitely painted on twice. Also the liner appears to have been repainted and underneath is a layer of white paint. I haven't been able to find anything on the soldier however to be honest I haven't had a chance to do much digging. Bryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burning Hazard Posted August 15, 2015 Author Share #24 Posted August 15, 2015 Yes and interesting they dropped the "91" being painted in the pine tree of the M1's? It does look like the 91 was dropped after WW1; both M1's I've seen did not have the 91 painted on them. Also, neither shell had a white outline of the pine tree painted on as well, only the liners seem to have (probably to avoid being seen in the field). Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted August 17, 2015 Share #25 Posted August 17, 2015 Nice one, Bryan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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